​The loss of hormones or ovarian hormone production can greatly affect a woman's physical and mental health (examples include bone health, memory, and libido). In the U.S., your odds are  more then one in four  of one day having a tubal ligation or hysterectomy. Your chance of one day having a surgery that could affect your hormone production or possibly castrate you is much higher (1 in 4) then getting breast cancer  (1 in 8) , yet women are not routinely offered hormone testing as they are with mammograms.

This Hormone Health Lab Protocol was created in the 80's by Dr. Hufnagel to promote and advance women's hormone health. She advocated for baseline hormone testing for ALL women (not just for sterilized women) starting at age twenty-five as a standard of care in the same manner that mammograms are for women at age forty.

​

The lab list has been updated to include anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) as a primary hormone level to check. This lab protocol, which focuses on hormone health, is just one key element in the complete care plan for post sterilized women which she defined. Other elements to the full plan of care and protocol concentrate on education, cardio health, sexual function/libido, pain, breast health, physiological health, bone health, and more.

​​

This information is presented here so women can become better informed and educated and so they can become an empowered proactive partner in their own health and health care. One main goal of the protocol is to educate women who have known risk factors for disease and syndrome to self monitor their health and play an active role in determining their treatment plans. The protocol promotes education and timely diagnosis in order that women may be presented with timely treatment and options.

​​

All forms of sterilization (tubal ligation, clips, salpingectomy, etc…) can cause ovarian isolation, catastrophic hormonal imbalances, castrative surgical induced menopause, and hormone shock. The symptoms of a surgical menopause, hormone shock or that of a depleted hormonal state often manifest as sleep disturbances/insomnia, chronic fatigue, hot flashes/chills, depression, mood swings, memory loss, urinary infections/incontinence, "Electric Shock Sensations", and loss of sex drive/libido. The condition of a depleted hormonal state can greatly affect a woman's present and future health, her social/work life, and family life.

​

Long term, a depleted hormonal state if left untreated in a young woman can lead to accelerated bone loss, earlier and more severe cases of osteoporosis, increased risk of colon cancer and earlier onset of heart disease.

​

Because of the risk for hormonal imbalance after sterilization, hormone and other lab testing is necessary to monitor overall health and well being. For women who have metal products testing for toxic elements should also be included. 

​​

For post sterilized women who have not had a health change: Hormone testing is suggested in order to obtain a baseline. 

​​

For post sterilized women who have had a health change: These laboratory tests can help rule out if your symptoms are hormone related or due to some other condition. 

As female sterilization carries the risk of creating a hormonal imbalance it makes sense to start with the most obvious which is determining ovarian function. If ovarian function is diminished then proper treatment(s) can be offered by your treating physician(s). 

​The avenues to obtain lab testing are to ask your private physician to order tests for you or to self-order labs on your own.

​​​​​

Having information about what your levels are when you are in the prime of your life and feeling your best is good information to have in your medical files if you ever need HRT or wish to match your baseline levels.

​

The CPTwomen advocates for hormone testing for all post sterilized women and all pre sterilized women (women about to undergo sterilization) to help protect overall health and well being.

​

It is possible that some post sterilized women may be experiencing a hormone imbalance (estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone deficiency) without even realizing it. For that reason ALL post sterilized women should be able to request and have ordered the following blood work and base line bone scans.

​

Lastly, the CTPwomen advocates that informed consent to a sterilization include provisions that women be allowed to record their base line hormone levels and have a base line bone scan done. For that reason this plan of care would apply to women who have not yet had a tubal but are in the process of making that decision. All women considering a TL should be offered and allowed to have these tests. 

​

The listed blood tests in the protocol will help your physician determine if you have a thyroid condition, if your ovaries are functioning and at what level, or if you need further testing to check for an autoimmune disorder, cancer, and other conditions. If you are not experiencing problems or all the tests come back in the normal range  then these levels will then give you a base line for future reference.  

​​​

Disclaimer: Diagnosis of health/medical conditions are not made at this web site, by the Coalition for Post Tubal Ligation Women (CPTwomen), tubal.org, or by any of its associates. The "Campaign to Inform" is a grass roots informational movement. No treatment is provided. Information contained on this web site or any website is not a substitute for a consultation and physical examination by a physician. Only discussion of your individual needs with a qualified physician will determine the best method of treatment for you. You are advised to obtain the services of a physician or health care professional if the need for medical treatment is indicated.