Counselling for sterilisation

Ideally, both partners should be seen together but it is not necessary to obtain the spouse's consent. Important points to discuss may be remembered by the mnemonic FILM V:

• F - Failure rate. It is mandatory to explain that results cannot be guaranteed
  
  
• I - the procedure should be presented as being basically Irreversible and the implications of this, stressed. This is particularly important in women under the age of 30 years as they may wish a subsequent child if they were to find a new partner or lose a child
  
  
• L - laparoscopy and laparotomy are the methods most commonly employed
  
  
• M - periods may be initially heavier following laparoscopic sterilisation
  
  
• V - vasectomy is a desirable alternative, particularly as it is a simpler procedure with fewer complications