Female sterilization—a permanent procedure on the fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy—is the most common form of contraception worldwide. Despite its popularity, women can find themselves dissuaded from the procedure by physicians who caution that their patient might change her mind or disappoint a future partner. “It’s pure paternalism,” says Natasha Schimmoeller, MD, a gynecologist in Cedars-Sinai’s Family Planning Program. “The notion of female sterilization and regret are inappropriately paired.” Schimmoeller is committed to providing “child-free friendly” gynecology to women at every age and stage of life, empowering her patients to freely make reproductive choices whether they involve bearing children or not.