The effect of laparoscopic sterilisation by diathermy or silastic bands on post-operative pain, menstrual symptoms and sexuality
Lawson, S.; Cole, R.A.; Templeton, A.A.
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 86(8): 659-663
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0306-5456 PMID: 497137 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1979.tb10831.xDocument Number: 442426
530 patients were reviewed 6 months following laparoscopic sterilization by diathermy (235 patients) or silastic bands (295 patients). Particular focus was on menstrual and sexual problems 6 months after the operation. The mean age of the patients was 34.1 years, and the mean parity was 2.3. At 6 months there had been 2 failures in the silastic band group and 1 in the diathermy group. When the 2 methods were compared, there were no differences in the nature or incidence of menstrual problems. 40% of all patients reported an increase in menstrual loss. 26% of the patients reported an increase in menstrual pain, and this could not be attributed totally to the stopping of oral contraception. 42% of the patients indicated an improvement in their sex lives after sterilization, while 6.6% reported deterioration primarily because of lack of libido. 5.1% of the patients expressed some regret about the operation.