sterilization

Any surgical procedure intended to end fertility permanently (see contraception). Such operations remove or interrupt the anatomical pathways through which the cells involved in fertilization travel (see reproductive system). They are relatively simple and more than 99percnt effective. The operations used in humans are vasectomy in men and tubal ligation (tying off and blocking or cutting of the fallopian tubes) in women. Though these operations are considered permanent, the development of microsurgery has improved the chances of reversal. Animals are sterilized by castration in males and spaying (removal of the ovaries) in females.

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Sterilization can refer to:

• Sterilization (surgical procedure), an operation which renders an animal or human unable to procreate
• Compulsory sterilization, where the government forces particular members of society to undergo the procedure
• Sterilization (microbiology), the elimination of microbiological organisms
• The loss of reproduction capability due to radiation or disease
• In economics, a monetary policy operation used to offset a foreign exchange intervention