A prospective study of psychiatric and menstrual disturbances following tubal ligation
Wig, N.N.; Gupta, A.N.; Khatri, R.; Verma, S.K.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 66(4): 581-590
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 608724 Document Number: 503652
Preoperative and subsequent follow-up studies of 405 tubal ligation cases were conducted by a combined psychiatric and gynecological team. The mean age was 30.4 yr. The women were categorized into mild, moderate and severe groups. On preoperative assessment, 23% had mild or insignificant symptoms and 4% had moderate or severe degree of disturbance. The symptoms at the 3 follow-up periods (6 wk, 6 mo., 18 mo.) were 24%, 11.7% and 19.6%, respectively. The psychiatric symptoms noted were chiefly anxiety and depression. Among menstrual symptoms, functional uterine bleeding was the most serious complaint. About 5% of cases had moderate to severe disturbances. Most of the complaints after tubal ligation were probably a reflection of the general ill health and neurotic disturbance in the community.