Female sterilization is a permanent method to prevent pregnancy. The process involves blocking of the Fallopian tubes so that the passage of eggs is restricted. It is also the primary birth control method in many developed countries. There are two mains methods by which it can be performed – surgical and nonsurgical. The surgical procedure is known as tubal ligation. In this method, the Fallopian tubes are cut or sealed. It’s sometimes referred to as getting your tubes tied. It is performed as a minimally invasive surgery called laparoscopy. It can be done immediately after the delivery too. Nonsurgical procedures use implants and they are placed in the Fallopian tubes to permanently seal them. In this method, the devices are inserted through the vagina into the Fallopian tubes. How does it work? Once the tubes are sealed, it prevents the egg from reaching the uterus and also curtails the sperm from reaching the egg. Tubal ligation can be effective immediately as the tubes are knotted while the nonsurgical procedure can take time as it depends on the development of the scar tissue around the implant. Tubal ligation requires general anesthesia. The sealing of the Fallopian tubes is done by both cutting and folding the tubes or by removing the section of the tubes.