Profile of women requesting reversal of sterilization

One hundred consecutive patients requesting reversal of sterilization have been analyzed. At the time of sterilization 52% were 25 years old or under and 89% were 30 years old or under. Fifty-three patients were not in a stable marital relationship. The mean number of children per patient was 2.39. Two-thirds of the 47 patients who underwent pueperal sterilization regretted their decision within the 1st year. Twenty-six percent of the patients felt psychologically adversely affected by the procedure. The reason for requesting reversal of sterilization in the majority (63%) was a change in marital status. Other reasons were crib death (17%), desire for more children (10%), psychologic factors (6%) accidental tragedies (4%).