The social and gynecological long-term consequences of tubal sterilization. A personal six-year follow-up investigation.
The long-term consequences and complications of tubal sterilization were studied. Six years after surgery, information was obtained from 208 of 216 women. Five had been pregnant. Eight had been bothered by their scars for 2 years or more. The majority reported improved conjugal relations and a positive impact on marriage. Eighty-five percent had told others about the sterilization; the frankness was more common in the younger age groups. Although most women were satisfied, 6% would have preferred the sterilization undone. In 10% of the couples, at least one of the partners held that view. The most common cause for regret was the desire for more children, in most cases with a new spouse. Regret was not correlated to the woman's age, parity or social group. Regret was recorded with significant predominance when the sterilization had been suggested by a doctor at abortion application. In a controlled comparison between Pomeroy laparotomy and laparoscopic electrocoagulation, no differences in postoperative bleeding patterns were found. The present study indicates that tubal sterilization is not a major cause of subsequent menstrual irregularities.
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000328:Adult; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008393:Marriage; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000209:etiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000523:psychology