Voluntary sterilization in Flanders

Abstract

SummaryIn a follow-up of males and females after voluntary surgical sterilization, the social characteristics of the applicants, their fertility and contraceptive history, their motivation, the indication for and mode of surgical contraception, the physical and psychological consequences of the operation, and the outcome of the selection and counselling procedures applied, were studied in a sample of 275 applications with a total of 540 subjects. The survey comprised the pre-operative examination, the first post-operative evaluation 4 months after surgery and the second after 12 months.The main reasons for applying for sterilization were excess fertility due to contraceptive failures and side-effects of reversible contraceptive methods. Almost all of the patients were satisfied with the operation, one of the highest proportions reported so far. Nevertheless, many experienced a real adjustment period. Notwithstanding the careful pre-operative information and counselling, serious fears were often observed, and many found the operation more severe than expected. For the vast majority of the patients the operation had no influence on their family relations. The sexual relationship too was usually unchanged. If there were changes, the positive effects always exceeded the negative ones.The high response to both the evaluations and the high proportions of satisfied individuals are in favour of the selection procedures and multidisciplinary counselling and follow-up practised.

Psychologische Aspekte der Tubensterilisation

“…(Zu den Versagerquoten und operationsspezifischen Risiken vgl. Blume 1997;Chi et al 1995;Cliquet et al 1981;Döring et al 1986;Jansen et al 1997;Khandwala 1988;Lehmann-Willenbrock et al 1992;Mecke et al 1996;Riedel et al 1995;Stoz et al 1987;Virtanen 1995;Wille 1978. )…”

“…nur geringe mit der Sterilisation verbundenen Verschlechterungen der psychischen Gesundheit (Cliquet et al 1981;Cooper et al 1981Cooper et al , 1982Goldberg 1978;WHO-Report 1984Smith 1979;Smith et al 1994). Allerdings kann die Sterilisation wie ein Katalysa-tor wirken und bis dahin latent gebliebene psychiatrische Erkrankungen ans Licht fördern.…”

Coping and psychopathology in surgery patients: A comparison of accident patients with other surgery patients

“…Psychopathological symptoms observed post-operatively in surgery patients include depression in cancer patients (Petty & Noyes, 1981), severe anxiety in cardiac patients (e.g. Abram, 1965), depression and anxiety in gynaecological patients (Cliquet et a/., 1981), and a variety of psychiatric symptoms in patients who have undergone surgery for burns or traffic accidents (Malt, 1992; McDonald & Davey,…”