Reversal of female sterilization: a reappraisal
Taylor, P.J.
Canadian Journal of Surgery. Journal Canadien de Chirurgie 30(3): 149-150
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-428X PMID: 3580968 Document Number: 373450
Selecting candidates for female sterilization should be done with the possibility of regret and later request for reversal in mind. It has been estimated that 30/1000 sterilized women will regret the operation, 23 will consult a physician, 17 will have laparoscopic screening, and 10 will be operated with a success rate of 6 out of 10. The emotional and fiscal cost of these procedures is high, even for the preliminary consultations. In the literature, women requesting sterilization at risk for later regret are young with unstable marital relationships. A study comparing 180 women requesting reversal to 180 satisfied with sterilization showed that women with regret tended to be young at the time of their 1st relationship and childbearing, and had unstable marriages, often with a spouse refusing vasectomy. The women tended to be native, hysterical, lacking insight, and unable to bear the responsibility for contraception or sterilization. The number of children is not important since most Canadian women have only 2 or 3 children. Physicians should describe the typical woman with regret and point out to similar women requesting sterilization that they fit this category. They should also document that the patient understands the permanent nature of sterilization, for their medico-legal protection.