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pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: This paper reports on the results of a study of elective interval sterilization in 201 women (mean age of 35.4 years) in Oxford, England. This sample was significantly underrepresented in the lower social classes. 190 (94.5%) of them were assessed again 6 months after the operation. Assessments were made on demographic and social factors, the patient's reason for seeking sterilization, psychiatric history, physical health, obstetric and contraceptive history, menstrual status, and psychosexual functioning. Before sterilization, the level of psychiatric morbidity as measured by the Present State Examination was 10.4%. After surgery, psychiatric morbidity was reduced to 4.7%. Social adjustment was significantly improved. Postoperative psychosexual disturbance was uncommon (2.7%). Reports of increased menstruation after sterilization appeared to be related to withdrawal of oral contraception. Other physical complaints were not more frequent after surgery than before, and were associated with emotional disturbance before and after sterilization. Significant regret was rare (2.6%) although 15 patients (7.8%) reported some dissatisfaction. These findings suggest that elective interval sterilization causes a low risk of adverse complications. Analysis of the data at 18 months should show whether the outcome remains as satisfactory a year later.
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