title: Methodologic considerations in studies on female sterilization--a review for clinicians.
abstract: Despite the large number of female sterilization (FS) studies and their relatively straightforward nature (compared to oral contraceptive studies for instance), results are often conflicting and a number of unanswered questions remain. Methodologic shortcomings can explain at least a portion of this confusion. This paper provides guidelines so that clinicians may better conduct and evaluate studies of FS techniques. Some important study topics for the future are reviewed, and the authors briefly describe the three main study designs for FS studies--clinical trial, cohort and case-control.
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*