Open AccessThe Social and Gynecological Long‐Term Consequences of Tubal Sterilization
Author(s) -
Børdahl P. E.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348409156708
Subject(s) - sterilization (economics) , medicine , regret , tubal ligation , spouse , abortion , family planning , laparotomy , vasectomy , gynecology , laparoscopy , obstetrics , pregnancy , population , surgery , research methodology , genetics , environmental health , machine learning , sociology , biology , computer science , anthropology , monetary economics , economics , foreign exchange market , foreign exchange
. 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 electro‐coagulation, no differences in postoperative bleeding patterns were found. The present study indicates that tubal sterilization is not a major cause of subsequent menstrual irregularities.