The purpose of the present study was to investigate the menstrual disturbances and the psychological effects of post-tubal sterilization - the so-called post-tubal sterilization syndrome. Does it exist? The authors followed-up prospectively 300 women from the Gynecological Endoscopy and Family Planning Section, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Botucatu Medical School, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) during one, three and five years after tubal sterilization surgery. Different parameters such as menstrual cycle length, duration of menstrual flow, dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, regret rates etc, after tubal ligation, were analyzed. Each woman served as her own control. In conclusion, our findings suggest that most women reported no menstrual changes subsequent to sterilization. These findings do not deny or diminish the importance or benefits of tubal sterilization, but serve as a focus for further investigation.
Post-tubal sterilization syndrome; Tubal ligation syndrome; Family planning; Menstrual disturbances
