Female Sterilization
vs
Pill
A side-by-side comparison of two birth control methods — efficacy, cost, how they work, and who shouldn't use them.
Side-by-side comparison
| Method |  Female SterilizationA permanent surgical procedure that blocks or removes the fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy. |  PillNo non-hormonal birth control pill is FDA-approved in the US. Ormeloxifene (centchroman) is approved and used in India. |
|---|---|---|
| Efficacy | 99.5% typical use Most effective: over 99 out of 100 people successfully prevent pregnancy per year. | Limited evidence see details Limited evidence: no verifiable efficacy data available. |
| Cost | $0–$6,000 Insurance: Usually | Contact provider Insurance: Varies |
| Duration | Permanent | Weekly pill (ongoing) |
| Reversibility | Permanent | Reversible |
| STI Protection | No | No |
| How it works | Surgical disruption (clipping, banding, cauterization, or complete removal) of the fallopian tubes prevents eggs from reaching the uterus and sperm from reaching the egg. | Ormeloxifene (centchroman) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that prevents pregnancy by inhibiting implantation of a fertilized egg in the endometrium. It does not suppress ovulation and does not contain estrogen or progestin. It is not FDA-approved in the US. |
| Prescription | Required Prescription required | Required Prescription required |
| Available Products | 2 products | 1 product |
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| Who shouldn't use this |
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