The Attitudes of Sterilized Women to Contraceptive Sterilization

Six years after their sterilization, 206 of 216 consecutively sterilized women were interviewed. Included in the semistructured interview was a series of questions about their more general attitudes to tubal sterilization. Half of the women considered the early thirties the appropriate age for contraceptive sterilization. Sixty-four women argued for male sterilization, 59 for female. The protagonists for vasectomy were younger. Twenty-seven women said contraceptive sterilization should not be more widespread, 38 believed postoperative regret was common. The abortion situation was considered inappropriate in the discussion of sterilization by 66 women; 131 found it sensible. While 84 women considered the new, liberal sterilization legislation an improvement, 110 did not agree, mainly because they considered the age limit of 25 years too low.