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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*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

K. D. Bledin
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nottingham
J. E. Cooper
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nottingham
B. Brice
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nottingham
S. Mackenzie
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nottingham

Summary

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 months and 12 months post-operatively, using standardized interviewing procedures. Adverse changes, including (subjectively assessed) increased menstrual loss, shorter menstrual cycles and greater use of pads or tampons were reported by sterilized subjects at both of the post-operative 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 pre-operatively used neither the pill nor the IUD.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1985, Cambridge University Press

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