Effects of tubal ligation among American women

To examine 2 possible negative effects for women who have had a tubal ligation using a nationally representative sample.

Our research used bivariate statistics to profile women with tubal ligations as compared to those without tubal ligations and logistic regression models to examine the relationship between having a tubal ligation and 2 measures that indicate sexual dissatisfaction.

We found that women who have had a tubal ligation are more likely than women who have not had a tubal ligation to report (1) stress interfering with sex and (2) seeing a physician regarding sexual problems, controlling for relevant variables.

Women, their physicians and the public in general should have more detailed information regarding the effects of sterilization so that more informed decisions can be made about contraception and surgical sterilization procedures.