The effects on menstruation of elective tubal sterilization: a prospective controlled study. A report from the UK Field Research Centre of a WHO collaborative project
Bledin, K.D.; Cooper, J.E.; Brice, B.; Mackenzie, S.
Journal of Biosocial Science 17(1): 19-30
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-9320 PMID: 3972854 Document Number: 404393
As part of a prospective controlled study of the psychosomatic effects of elective tubal sterilization, 138 women were questioned about their menstrual functioning before sterilization, and again 6 and 12 mo. postoperatively, using standardized interviewing procedures. Adverse changes including (subjectively assessed) increased mestrual loss, shorter menstrual cycles and greater use of pads or tampons were reported by sterilized subjects at both of the postoperative interviews. Control subjects reported several comparable effects, although adverse changes overall were reported more commonly by sterilized women than by control subjects. However, many of the reported changes appeared to be related to pre-operative contraceptive methods, although consistent increases in use of pads or tampons were found in women who had preoperatively used neither the pill nor the IUD.