[Psychic attitude of women to irreversible contraception (author's transl)].

Thirty-four of 100 women who had undergone officially sanctioned irreversible contraception at the Gynaecological Department of Wismar Regional Hospital were selected at random for follow-up investigation, two-and-a-half to one year after the intervention. The following psychological tests were taken: a standardised interview based on abridged psychopathological method, Freiburg personality inventory, record of complaints according to Kasielke, and the multiple-choice vocabulary test according to Lienert. Psychiatric examination was added on the basis of a structured psychopathological record system according to Grünes and Kühne. The following results were obtained from the study: All probands exhibited positive attitudes to the method of irreversible contraception. They said they would choose the same option, if they had to were asked again. They recommended the same decision to other women. Inner conflicts because of the irreversible nature of the intervention, problems of selfvalue, and impairment of partnership relations were not reported. Nor did any of the women wish refertilisation. The gynaecological intervention did in no single case turn out as source for neurotic developments or other psychiatrically relevant symptoms. However, the possibility of neurosis must be reckoned with, as it must with any other medical intervention. This risk may be effectively encountered by due consideration of the patient's personality, clarified indication, adequate information, and therapeutic support for the patient's effort to get to grips with the psychic problem. Hence, irreversible contraception can be an alternative, also for its psychic consequences, for women above 35 to whom safe reversible contraceptives cannot be applied for whatever reasons, although they have completed their own family planning.