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“No, It’s Permanent”: TikToker Shares How A Gynecologist Refused To Sterilize Her And Goes Viral
Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure to prevent pregnancy. It has commonly been called “getting your tubes tied,” and is also known as female sterilization.
According to ACOG (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,) it is ethically permissible to perform a requested sterilization in nulliparous women and young women who do not wish to have children. Providing a permanent sterilization within a reproductive justice framework means that physicians recognize that all women have a right to pursue and to prevent pregnancy.
Sadly, many physicians still approach sterilization requests, particularly from young women, with paternalism. This is what happened to 22-year-old Olivia, who shared her conversation with a gynecologist on TikTok.
In a now-viral video that amassed 2M views, Olivia reenacted the appointment she had where a gynecologist declined her request for sterilization, saying ‘no’ and ‘it’s permanent.’ Below is the full video Olivia posted on her channel that sparked a very important conversation about women’s rights to choose what’s best for them, especially when it comes to their bodies and reproduction systems.
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This 22-year-old woman shared how she was refused to be considered for sterilization by a gynecologist, after asserting she did not want children
Image credits: lvdwns
Image credits: lvdwns
Image credits: lvdwns
Olivia received an overwhelming amount of support from other women online expressing their lawful right to decide whether they want to have children or not. “I’ve learned that a significant amount of women have been in the same position being denied tubal litigation and similar procedures,” she commented to the press.
Olivia’s video amassed 2M views and sparked a much-needed conversation about women’s rights and their choice not to have kids
@lvdwns Got the death sentence today #childfree #gyno #birthcontrol #ewkidsaregross ♬ original sound – Olivia
The woman whose TikTok video went viral says she’s “only 22, unmarried with no children so I wasn’t surprised by my doctor’s response, however a lot of women with several children already are being denied the procedure on the basis that they might want more, or perhaps that they might remarry and their next husband may want a child of his own.”
After the media picked up on her story and more women joined the conversation, Olivia released more videos explaining her arguments 
Image credits: lvdwns
@lvdwns Reply to @faith_acosta132 part 2! Jokes aside this is a deeper issue than just “not wanting kids” #greenscreen #childfree #gynecologist #healthcare #scotus #reproductiverights #womensrights ♬ Music For a Sushi Restaurant – Harry Styles
Image credits: lvdwns
According to Olivia, a woman should not be denied care based on her own decision about her own body in the case of a hypothetical divorce/man. “I’m frustrated in my own case, but I can’t imagine these women’s frustration and pain.”
This woman stated something so obvious that sadly doesn’t get talked about enough
So she shared her experience on what reactions she gets from other people
@lvdwns Reply to @carolinelfranco they throw a boomer tantrum as soon as the words leave your lips. Like this concept is so outdated #childfree #womenshealth #birthcontrol #womensrights ♬ original sound – Olivia
She specifically addressed all the men who kept commenting about her decision
@lvdwns Reply to @cameron_ehringer693 call me selfish but I’m not doing that to my body lol #womenshealth #reproductiverights #birthcontrol #tuballigation ♬ original sound – Olivia
The conversation on women’s rights to sterilization and physicians’ paternalism sparked another much-needed debate on the fact that many people still fail to realize: not all women want children and this is totally fine. Olivia said she received support from fellow women who also lack a desire for kids.
“A lot of women were commenting their relief to see someone else with the same ‘child free’ mindset. I guess in the past it’s been pretty taboo for a woman to not want children, never mind be vocal about it, so I’m glad to be a voice for all of the women who feel isolated in that belief,” she commented and added that now that social norms are changing, it’s easier to talk about things like this, although there still is a lot of pushback.
More women joined the conversation and shared their own similar experiences
Here’s how people reacted to her video
What do you think ?
Trillian 2 years ago (edited)
This makes me so mad. It took my sister almost 15 years with severe endo to find someone who would do a hysterectomy. I can't even stress how effed up and patronizing the argument "you might regret it later" is. 1) No one tells that to young men wanting a vasectomy 2) Yes I might regret it but I am an ADULT and I get to make my own mistakes if it turns out to be one and 3) I can get a facial tattoo with no questions asked and they are permanent and a lot of people will regret them at some point and while I am ranting 4) kids are permanent and some women regret having them so how is all this not valid??
Ozacoter 2 years ago
Exactly. Also a hysterectomy for endometriosis is not done "because i dont want children" (even if she doesnt). Its done to treat a severe chronic illness. But apparently a hypothetical baby is more important than a womans health...
Load More Replies...
The Other Guest 2 years ago
When a hypothetical man's hypothetical wishes are deemed more important than your personal decisions about your own body...
Freya the Wanderer 2 years ago
That so many OB/GYNs are such asshats burns me up! They regard women as brood cows. Meanwhile, a man wants a vasectomy, no problemo! We women are the ones who go through the nine months of hell called pregnancy, but only men are allowed control their reproductive capacity. Shame, shame, ten thousand times shame on those patronizing, condescending dips!
Load More Replies...
JJ 2 years ago
I experienced the same at her age. I never wanted children. Additionally another specialist found out that hormonal contraception or a pregnancy will very likely kill me. Even that wasn't enough to get a sterilization. Luckily after a year I found a doctor about 500km from where I live who does sterilizations on women that age. I told him about my journey of denial by other doctors and he answered, "It's all BS. You're over 18, an adult and you can speak for yourself. The other medical conditions make it even more reasonable. If you want it, that's all that matters. And if you really change your mind, there's IVF, adoptions or fostering." It's now 9 years and I don't regret anything. PS: Mr Right was with me back then and still is, not wanting to have children either.
- 2 years ago (edited)
I find it mind-boggling that a doctor would rather risk a woman's life than her future relationships. As if every man on the planet wants children and is willing to risk killing his partner for it.
Load More Replies...
Trillian 2 years ago (edited)
This makes me so mad. It took my sister almost 15 years with severe endo to find someone who would do a hysterectomy. I can't even stress how effed up and patronizing the argument "you might regret it later" is. 1) No one tells that to young men wanting a vasectomy 2) Yes I might regret it but I am an ADULT and I get to make my own mistakes if it turns out to be one and 3) I can get a facial tattoo with no questions asked and they are permanent and a lot of people will regret them at some point and while I am ranting 4) kids are permanent and some women regret having them so how is all this not valid??
Ozacoter 2 years ago
Exactly. Also a hysterectomy for endometriosis is not done "because i dont want children" (even if she doesnt). Its done to treat a severe chronic illness. But apparently a hypothetical baby is more important than a womans health...
Load More Replies... The Other Guest 2 years ago
When a hypothetical man's hypothetical wishes are deemed more important than your personal decisions about your own body...
Freya the Wanderer 2 years ago
That so many OB/GYNs are such asshats burns me up! They regard women as brood cows. Meanwhile, a man wants a vasectomy, no problemo! We women are the ones who go through the nine months of hell called pregnancy, but only men are allowed control their reproductive capacity. Shame, shame, ten thousand times shame on those patronizing, condescending dips!
Load More Replies... JJ 2 years ago
I experienced the same at her age. I never wanted children. Additionally another specialist found out that hormonal contraception or a pregnancy will very likely kill me. Even that wasn't enough to get a sterilization. Luckily after a year I found a doctor about 500km from where I live who does sterilizations on women that age. I told him about my journey of denial by other doctors and he answered, "It's all BS. You're over 18, an adult and you can speak for yourself. The other medical conditions make it even more reasonable. If you want it, that's all that matters. And if you really change your mind, there's IVF, adoptions or fostering." It's now 9 years and I don't regret anything. PS: Mr Right was with me back then and still is, not wanting to have children either.
- 2 years ago (edited)
I find it mind-boggling that a doctor would rather risk a woman's life than her future relationships. As if every man on the planet wants children and is willing to risk killing his partner for it.
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