Requesting information about and obtaining reversal after tubal sterilization: findings from the U.S. collaborative review of sterilization☆

Objective: To determine the cumulative probabilities over 14 y of requesting information on sterilization reversal and of obtaining a reversal and to identify risk factors observable at sterilization for both measures of regret.

Design: The U.S. Collaborative Review of Sterilization, a prospective cohort study.

Setting: Fifteen medical centers in 9 cities.

Patient(s): 11,232 women.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Cumulative probabilities of requesting information on reversal and undergoing reversal.

Result(s): The 14-y cumulative probability of requesting reversal information was 14.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 12.4%–16.3%). Among women aged 18 to 24 y at sterilization, the cumulative probability was 40.4% (95% CI, 31.6%–49.2%). Women aged 18 to 24 y were almost 4 times as likely to request reversal information as were women ≥30 years of age (adjusted rate ratio [RR], 3.5; 95% CI, 2.8–4.4). Number of living children was not associated with requesting reversal information. The overall cumulative probability of obtaining reversal was 1.1% (95% CI, 0.5–1.6). Younger women (18 to 30 y) were more likely to obtain reversal (RR, 7.6; 95% CI, 3.2–18.3).

Conclusion(s): Women who were sterilized at a young age had a high chance of later requesting information about reversal, regardless of their number of living children.