Psychiatric aspects of sterilization
Bernstein, I.C.
Journal of Reproductive Medicine 22(2): 97-100
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-7758 PMID: 439086 Document Number: 518838
192 consectutive referrals for sterilization were screened for psychiatric morbidity prior to the operation, 2 months later, and again a year after the operation. 47 patients received scores of 12 or over in the General Health Questionnaire and were found to be suffering from depressive neurosis, anxiety neurosis, and manic depressive psychosis. Of the 12 women having a score greater than 12 at 2 months, 10 had initial high scores but had not suffered any worsening of symptoms. 17 women showed psychiatric disturbance at 1 year due primarily to divorce, separation, or death of a child. All the women suffering neurotic illness had mild symptoms with the most disturbed group being of women with only 1 child. The disturbance rate at 1 year is similar to the amount found in a random community survey. The study shows no evidence of women suffering psychological reactions to the sterilization and only 3% expressed regret; however, divorced or separated women or young women with unstable marriages may require extra consideration.