Surgical sterilization of women: in which case and to whom can one suggest it?
Halperin, M.; Halperin, D.
Contraception Fertilite Sexualite 7(3): 189-198
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-861X PMID: 12278153 Document Number: 149197
Female sterilization is rapidly becoming a common method of contraception. Repercussions on health, menstrual cycle, sex life, libido, attitude, body weight and socioeconomic status of the patients are practically nonexistant for most women. However, surgical sterilization could have negative side effects on some patients, and it is therefore extremely important to select some criteria which would help to better determine which sort of patients would fully benefit from this radical method of contraception. The authors review the literature on the subject over the past 50 years, and come up with a model of the women for whom surgical sterilization would prove beneficial. The ideal candidate for sterilization should 1) be over 30; 2) have at least 2 children; 3) be free of any psychological problem; 4) have freely made up her mind about the operation and have considered the socioeconomic effects of her decision; 5) have a good and deep relationship with her husband; 6) have normal intellectual capacities; 7) not be very religious; and 8) not have the operation performed postabortion, to avoid later possible psychological troubles.