Why 103 women asked for reversal of sterilisation

Between 1975 and 1976 103 women requesting sterilisation reversal were interviewed at Hammersmith Hospital. Their average age at sterilisation was 26-7 years; 65 (63-1%) had been sterilised immediately after pregnancy, and many patients had previously used contraception inadequately when they were sterilised. When they had been sterilised 78 (75-7%) patients were unhappily married and remarriage was the chief reason for the request for reversal. Sexual dissatisfaction after sterilisation was common, but there was no obvious increase in menstrual disturbance. Thirty-nine (37-8%) patients had been sterilised by irreversible methods, and in only half the cases sterilised by tubal ligation were conditions technically suitable for reversal surgery. It therefore seems unwise to sterilise women under 30 particularly immediately after pregnancy or if their marriage is in jeopardy.