Katija Cortez's Definitive Choice: Sterilization at 29
For Katija Cortez, the decision to never have children was never a question of "if" but always a resolute "never." The 30-year-old Sydney resident, who has appeared on Playboy's cover and works as a "professional girlfriend," recently underwent sterilization after years of struggling with hormonal contraception. Her journey reveals systemic issues in women's healthcare and societal attitudes toward reproductive choices.
The Contraception Nightmare That Changed Everything
Between ages 16 and 29, Katija relied on hormonal contraception without significant issues. However, in 2025 when she replaced her implant, everything changed dramatically. She began experiencing insomnia, exhaustion, brain fog, intense food cravings, constant bleeding, and a general inability to function normally. "For two months, doctors ran tests and found nothing," Katija shares. "Not once did anyone suggest my contraception could be causing it."
After requesting implant removal, Katija endured what she describes as a traumatic two-hour procedure that was supposed to take five minutes. She emerged with scars on her arm and shattered confidence in medical professionals. Yet within 24 hours of removal, every symptom she'd suffered for months completely disappeared. "That's when I knew, I was never putting my body through this again. I was done with contraception forever," she states.
The Path to Permanent Sterilization
This watershed moment led the then-29-year-old to pursue sterilization as a permanent solution. While her GP was supportive, medical professionals cautioned that she'd "struggle" because she was "young, unmarried and had no kids." Many questioned what would happen if she met a future partner who wanted children—questions Katija found "infuriating."
"I've always known what I want, I don't date men who want kids. It's a first-date question for me," she explains. Her research revealed a disturbing pattern: countless women, including those married with children, had been refused sterilization. Some were told they might change their minds, others were instructed to seek partner permission, and some were forced into psychological evaluations.
The Irreversible Decision and Recovery
After months of waiting, Katija received approval for surgery. On the day of the procedure, she made a crucial decision: rather than tubal ligation (which has reversal success rates of 50-80%), she opted for complete fallopian tube removal. "I just didn't feel safe with them tied. I wanted certainty," she explains.
The recovery proved arduous, leaving her "tired, sore, and crampy," but Katija emphasizes she doesn't "regret it for a second." As someone who challenges societal norms through her work and lifestyle, she believes her sterilization has opened new possibilities in dating. "Men who date spicy workers have confidence on another level. We know exactly what's out there. If we choose you, it's because you offer something rare," she observes.
Broader Implications for Women's Healthcare
Katija's experience highlights significant gaps in women's reproductive healthcare discussions, particularly regarding the right to choose child-free lives. Her story underscores how medical professionals often dismiss women's concerns about contraception side effects and impose paternalistic barriers to permanent sterilization. The systemic reluctance to honor women's reproductive autonomy persists despite growing recognition of diverse lifestyle choices.
Through her public sharing, Katija joins a growing movement of women advocating for better healthcare understanding and respect for reproductive decisions. Her journey from contraception trauma to surgical sterilization represents both personal empowerment and a critique of healthcare systems that frequently fail to listen to women's experiences and choices.
