[The effect of tubal sterilization on ovarian function]

Disturbances of menstrual cycle, as well as premature onset of climacterial symptoms, are discussed as late complications of diverse techniques of tubal sterilisation. A disturbance of the ovarian function is regarded as cause for the disorder known as "post-tubal ligation syndrome". This study should help to clarify if tubal sterilisation via bipolar high-frequency current influences the course of perimenopause. 109 patients were examined, who had been sterilised by this technique at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the University of Cologne during the period 1980 to 1984. 103 patients formed the comparison group, all of whom had neither undergone tubal sterilisation nor hysterectomy. The age of these women of both groups ranged between 36 and 51. Patients of both groups were interviewed personally with regard to cycle irregularities, climacteric symptoms, and onset of menopause in the form of transverse examination. Simultaneously, blood tests were performed to establish the endocrinological status, and to examine FSH and 17-beta-oestradiol levels. Summing up, this study led to the following conclusions: 1. Menstrual disturbances, climacteric symptoms after tubal sterilisation during perimenopause do not occur more frequently than in a comparative group of the same age. 2. In comparison with a group of women with no surgical history, neither did cycle anomalies and ovarian deficiency symptoms in terms of climacteric complaints occur earlier, nor did early onset of menopause take place more often in this examined group of sterilised women. 3. Hormone analysis could not establish any significant differences between both groups in respect of endocrinological parameters in the perimenopause.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)