The effects of sterilisation: a comparison of sterilised women with the wives of vasectomised men.

In a follow-up study, women sterilised by tubal diathermy were compared with a matched group of wives of vasectomised men. Semi-structured interviews were given to a random sample drawn from a representative population. The couples were young with small families and did not have a high proportion of unplanned pregnancies or terminations. They had previously used contraception, mainly the pill or sheath. Most couples were entirely satisfied with the operation. Both groups showed an increase in pre-menstrual symptoms but there was only slight evidence that menstrual loss was affected by female sterilisation. The vasectomy couples had a higher frequency of sexual intercourse, few sexual problems and tended to have more satisfactory marriages. They had had more discussion of their decision to have the operation and the implications of counselling are considered.