Abstract

PIP: Study was made of the psychological sequelae of 301 tubal sterilizations performed between 1959 and 1964 at the Lady Hardinge Hospital in New Delhi. The women were interviewed on aspects of their general health, sleeping habits, and evidences of depression and anxiety for 2-4 years after the operation. The women were divided into 2 groups for comparison: the 241 who had requested the procedure and the 60 who had had to be persuaded to have the operation. Mild psychological disturbances such as anxiety of insomnia were reported in 12.2% of the cases, and severe disturbances such as hysteria or severe depression were reported in 8.9% of the cases. There were more disturbances reported in the persuaded group than the willing group. No significant change was reported in the patients' sexual response after the operations, though those in the persuaded group had slightly less libido. Also those with altered libido in both groups showed much higher degree of psychological disturbance than those with unaltered libido. Dyspareunia was reported in 13% of the cases and menstrual disturbances in 26.8% of the cases. The persuaded group showed much higher rates of dysmenorrhea than the willing group. Some changes occurred in family happiness after the operation, both positive and negative. It is concluded that psychological disturbances are an important factor in dealing with sterilization procedures.