SAN DIEGO -- A few months ago, Sherry Pascual started having periods that were so painful that doctors removed the lining of her uterus.

"After the ablation, they don't want you to get pregnant because you can't physically carry a pregnancy," Pascual said.

Sterilization was Pascual's only option. But, instead of standard surgery, Dr. Steven McCarus inserted two small springs into her fallopian tubes.

Eventually, tissue will grow around the springs and block the tubes, which prevents pregnancy. There's no incision and no anesthesia.

McCarus said, "I think that this is an easier, less invasive approach to female sterilization."

Studies show the spring is about 99 percent effective, about the same as surgery.

Since it's new, doctors don't know whether the success will last, but they do know once the spring is implanted, it's permanent.

"The patient really has to be comfortable that this is a permanent change," McCarus said.

Pascual said recovery was quick.

"It's like going to the gynecologist for an office visit. That's how fast it is," Pascual said.

Now that Pascual's painful periods are gone, everyone is happy.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the spring sterilization three years ago, but only about 1,000 doctors nationwide perform it. The procedure is usually covered by insurance.