The provision, issued in September 2022, enters into force 180 days after the sanction and renounces the need for the spouse’s consent to carry out the intervention.
The amendment of the law establishing new rules for the procedures tubal ligation AND vasectomy enters into force this Monday 5. With the new legislation, men and women can apply for the contraceptive procedure without the prior authorization of their spouse. There was also a change in the minimum age for voluntary surgery from 25 to 21.
The change was made by law 9.263 of 1996, which regulates family planning. From now on, it is sufficient for men and women, 21 years of age or older or with two children alive, regardless of age, to approve the procedure. “Women were primarily affected by the old legislation. The change is very timely and strengthens women’s autonomy and gender equality,” comments Ana Carolina Dantas, an attorney and researcher of sexual and reproductive rights at the University of Brasilia (UnB).
Last year, 104,800 tubal ligations and 51,500 vasectomies were performed, according to DataSUS. The number of procedures has grown compared to the year 2021, when 71,000 and 25,000 surgeries were recorded respectively.
Gynecology specialist Sheldon Rodrigo Botogoski explains that more sterilization procedures are performed on women due to male bias. “Man relates to vasectomy helplessly, but this is not true. It is a much less invasive surgery than tubal ligation and does not interfere with libido. (sexual desire) or sexual performance,” he says.
The family planning law also included among the new regulations the mandatory provision of contraceptive methods by the public health system within 30 days, at the patient’s choice. Besides, it was allowed tubal ligation during the birth, guaranteed when the minimum period of 60 days between the manifestation of the will and the birth and the due medical conditions are respected. Previously, sterilization was prohibited only after childbirth, in the event of miscarriage or “previous caesarean sections”.
Advancement of women’s rights
Rebecca Miranda, 25, always knew she didn’t want to be a mother. She had already tried other contraceptive methods, but she was unable to adjust. Her sterilization was eagerly awaited by her and, as soon as her birthday was completed, she went to the Unified Health System (SUS) look up the procedure: “I was very anxious to turn 25 and start tubal ligation. I never saw myself as a mother and didn’t picture myself in that role,” she says. After six months, the designer will undergo surgery in the coming weeks.
Before performing the procedure, Rebecca had to go through meetings with social workers, doctors and nurses. There, she was advised on other contraceptive methods and she had to wait 60 days to make sure she was sure of the decision. Although she was convinced, she says she was discouraged by health professionals and even by people in her own family. “Many people said that I would not make it or that I would regret it, since the operation is forever. But a child is also for life, right?”, She says.
Like Rebecca, lawyer Patrícia Marxs, 32, also heard many negative comments when she decided to have the procedure done. “I had tubal ligations done in 2018, but by then I had been in constraints and was already fed up with doctors saying I was ‘crazy’ and shouldn’t have it done. I had a phobia of getting pregnant, I was determined and my body rejected other methods,” she says.
To help other people who had questions about the tubal ligation procedure and vasectomy as well, she created an Instagram channel that now has 75,000 followers. There, Patricia talks about her experience and has created a group of her followers who help each other through the surgical process.
For reproductive justice researcher Ana Carolina Dantas, legislative change represents a women’s right, however, it must be implemented by state and city governments along with other axes. “In addition to the new rules, actions of sex education, prevention and acceptance of gender-based violence and abortion, guarantee of safe motherhood and access to health are needed,” she explains. Even the gynecologist Botogoski sees a step forward in the law: “The changes have brought improvements in the reproductive and family rights and in the autonomy of women, who suffer the violation of this guarantee”, she opines.
How to sterilize?
Tubal ligation and vasectomy are permanent contraceptive methods performed through surgery that prevent contact between the sperm and the egg. In the first case, a cut or ligature is made in the fallopian tubes (tubes), the tube that connects the uterus to the ovaries. In a vasectomy, what is cut are the vas deferens, which carry sperm. Both methods are highly effective and are provided by sus.
OR Ministry of Health advises those wishing to undergo the procedure in the public service to go to a Basic Health Unit (UBS). There, the patient will be referred to a nursing professional who will be presented with the contraceptive method options available, and then to a specialist, such as an ob-gyn or urologist, to perform preoperative exams and surgical guidelines. In case of neutering, SUS patients undergo a 60-day waiting period to finally decide on the procedure, and after these steps, the surgery is performed.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
