Sterilization and vasectomy

Summary

Sterilization, either in the form of tubal ligation for women or vasectomy for men is a widely used method of contraception. Indeed, figures indicate that during the 1990s tubal ligation was the world's most popular contraceptive method used by some 138 million women of reproductive age worldwide (Chi & Jones, 1994). Amongst couples who use some form of contraception, approximately half opt for sterilization, with female sterilization just exceeding the rate of male sterilization (Forest & Fordyce, 1988). Interestingly, during the 1990s the United Kingdom witnessed a decline in the popularity of tubal ligation so that the UK is now one of the very few countries in which sterilization incidence in men is greater than that in women (Rowlands & Hannaford, 2003). There are many possible explanations for this including variability across countries in the availability of both counselling and alternative contraceptive methods.

Even though it is possible to reverse both tubal sterilization and vasectomy with microsurgical techniques the chances of an attempted reversal actually resulting in a subsequent pregnancy are so uncertain that it is generally treated as an irreversible course of action.

Numerous studies from many countries have examined the social and psychological correlates of voluntary sterilization. However, it is worth noting that many are descriptive and lacking in methodological rigour. It is only within the last two decades that more rigorous research studies have enabled more substantive conclusions to be drawn.