[Regret after tubal sterilization].
OBJECTIVE
To examine thoroughly the profile and motivations of a group of women who regretted sterilization so much that they were prepared to undergo reversal microsurgery or in vitro fertilization treatment.


METHODS
and methods. The study followed one hundred women from their first consultation for a period of 3 years in order to analyze the outcome of their initial decision.


RESULTS
Analysis of the circumstances at the time of the sterilization indicate 3 main factors which later caused the women to regret the decision Three years after the initial consultation, 69% of the patients have withdrawn from further investigation and /or treatment for different reasons analyzed in this study. 17 of the patients have undergone reversal microsurgery and 14 have attempted one or more in vitro fertilization treatments. Of these 31 patients, 12 (38.7%) have given birth to at least one child.


CONCLUSIONS
These results sufficiently prove that tubal sterilization is worthy of consideration as much by the patient as by the physician as a method of irreversible contraception despite the developments in tubal microsurgery or in medically assisted procreation.
Nervo
P
P
Département Universitaire de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, CHR Citadelle, Bd du 12e de Ligne, 4000 Liège, Belgique.
Bawin
L
L
Foidart
J M
JM
Dubois
M
M
D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D013243:Sterilization Reversal; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal / Q000523:psychology*