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Warning-sign checks

Sterilization surgery - making a decision: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency care for trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe and rapidly worsening abdominal or scrotal pain.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact your healthcare team promptly for increasing pain, fever, spreading redness, pus, worsening swelling, trouble urinating, persistent vomiting, or an incision that opens.

    After vasectomy, report rapidly increasing scrotal swelling or pain that is not improving.

    Seek urgent medical care.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine questions about dressings, activity, semen testing, or returning to work can usually wait for normal clinic hours.

The article also says

After tubal sterilization, a positive pregnancy test with one-sided abdominal pain, shoulder pain, dizziness, or fainting could indicate an ectopic pregnancy.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Sterilization surgery - making a decision. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.