Sterilization (also spelled sterilisation) is any of several medical methods of permanent birth control that intentionally leaves a person unable to reproduce. Sterilization methods are available for both males and females. Although a non-surgical option for females ("Essure") was available until 2019, it is no longer an option. Sterilization procedures are intended to be permanent; reversal is generally difficult.

There are multiple ways of having sterilization done, but the two that are used most frequently are salpingectomy or tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men. There are many different ways tubal sterilization can be accomplished. It is highly effective, like use of an IUD or arm implant, and in the United States, surgical complications are low. With that being said, tubal sterilization is still a method that involves surgery, so there is still a danger. Women who choose tubal sterilization have a higher risk of serious side effects than men who have a vasectomy do. Pregnancies after tubal sterilization can still occur, even many years after the procedure. Some recent studies have estimated that 3% of women become pregnant after tubal sterilization.It is not very likely, but if it does happen, there is a high risk of ectopic gestation. Tubal sterilization surgeries can be performed during a Cesarean section or shortly after a vaginal delivery mostly by mini-laparotomy. In some cases, sterilization can be reversed, but this can not be guaranteed. If you might want to become pregnant in the future, do not have this surgery.

Sterilization procedures can be undertaken voluntarily or promoted by governments. The legal framework surrounding sterilizations varies significantly between countries. In some cases, governments have historically or presently implemented compulsory or incentivized sterilization programs. On the other hand, certain nations have enacted laws that restrict or prohibit the practice.

Surgical sterilization methods include:

Transluminal procedures are performed by entry through the female reproductive tract. These generally use a catheter to place a substance into the fallopian tubes that eventually causes a blockage of the tract in this segment. Such procedures are normally referred to as non-surgical because they use natural orifices and thereby do not necessitate any surgical incision.

In April 2018, the FDA restricted the sale and use of Essure due to a number of complications that certain women experienced. On July 20, 2018, Bayer announced it would end sales in the US by the end of 2018.

There are no oral medications for sterilization currently approved for human use.

The effects of sterilization vary greatly according to gender, age, location, and other factors. When discussing female sterilization, one of the most important factors to consider is the degree of power that women hold in the household and within society.