Abstract

PIP: 220 women who had been sterilized 20-46 months previously were questioned about any regrets they felt about the operation. 13 patients expressed regret (5.9%) and 15 expressed uncertainty (6.8%). The worsening of the sex life, the occurrence of menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, or both, and nervous problems were each significantly associated with the regret/uncertain group (p less than .01). 7 patients also experienced weight gain and 3 reported a bad conscience. The percentage of sterilization patients expressing regret is felt likely to decline since smaller families are now favored. The results did not indicate that sterilization necessarily causes the problem.