Psychiatric sequelae of female sterilization

ABSTRACT

Prior to sterilization 272 cases were subjected to assessment of their personality. Six months after the operation 190 respondents were interviewed regarding the post-sterilization sequelae at the Central Women's Hospital. Housewives were the commonest occupational group, and the socio-economic problem being the most frequent reason besides the basic medical and psychological reasons for sterilization. Belief in the rumours of post-sterilization complications was found to be insignificant contrary to our suspicion. Over half of the sterilized cases were found to suffer post-sterilization sequelae either in isolation or in multiple of symptoms, the most outstanding symptoms being that of nuchal neuromuscular tension. Unstable personality types were more prone to have post-sterilization sequelae singificantly than the stable types.