Campinas SUS Sees More Tubal Ligations Than Vasectomies Post-Family Planning Law Change
In Campinas, Brazil, tubal ligations performed by the Unified Health System (SUS) have now surpassed vasectomies, a shift attributed to recent changes in family planning legislation. These legislative updates, effective March 2023, lowered the minimum age for voluntary sterilization from 25 to 21 years and eliminated the requirement for spousal consent. Data from 2024 and 2025 reveal this trend reversal, with 826 tubal ligations versus 677 vasectomies in 2024, and 693 tubal ligations compared to 469 vasectomies in 2025. Prior to these changes, vasectomies were more common, with figures like 714 vasectomies against 226 tubal ligations in 2022. The new law has significantly eased access to female sterilization, with procedures nearly quadrupling between 2022 and 2024. While vasectomies also saw an increase, peaking in 2023, they declined in subsequent years. Experts note that despite vasectomy being simpler, reproductive planning responsibility often remains with women, and the law has empowered them by removing previous barriers. The primary age group for vasectomies was 30-39 years, while women aged 30-39 also led in tubal ligations, with a notable number of younger women (21-29) also undergoing the procedure. Health officials emphasize that reversible methods are prioritized for younger patients, acknowledging that reproductive desires can change. The increase in tubal ligations is seen as a sign of women taking greater control over their reproductive decisions, reflecting a broader societal trend of increased female autonomy in family planning.
The shift in sterilization procedures in Campinas, driven by legislative reform, highlights evolving dynamics in reproductive healthcare access. The reduction in age and elimination of spousal consent requirements for tubal ligation have demonstrably increased its utilization, suggesting that previous legal barriers disproportionately affected women's autonomy. While this legislative adjustment empowers individuals, it also surfaces persistent societal norms where reproductive responsibility is often placed on women. The data indicates that even with simpler male sterilization options available, female sterilization has become the preferred method post-reform. This trend warrants examination of underlying gendered expectations in family planning and the long-term implications for healthcare systems and individual life choices. Future considerations should include continued monitoring of access to all contraceptive methods and addressing any remaining systemic factors that influence reproductive decision-making.
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