Are Sexual Problems More Common in Women Who Have Had a Tubal Ligation? A Population-Based Study of Australian Women

Abstract

A previous study reported that a significant proportion of women who undergo tubal sterilization experienced changes in their menstrual cycle (30%), had lower abdominal pain (35%), and reported changes in their sexual relationships (23)%. Other studies estimated that up to 20% of these women—especially those sterilized at a young age—regret their decision to be sterilized. Although there have been few published studies on the level of satisfaction or sexual problems or other sexual outcomes among women after tubal ligation, available data suggest that most women experience no decline in sexual satisfaction. One study found an increase in both sexual satisfaction and sexual drive following sterilization. This population-based telephone survey compared the prevalence of sexual problems and overall sexual and relationship satisfaction among sterilized and nonsterilized sexually active, heterosexual Australian women. The survey was conducted using random-digit dialing in 2004 and 2005. The respondents were 3448 women with a mean age of 42 years (range, 16-64 years) who were in a regular relationship. The data was adjusted using logistical regression to control for sociodemographic differences among the participants. A total of 447 (16.4%) among a weighted sample of 2721 women with a mean age of 49.4 years reported having had a tubal ligation. Compared to nonsterilized women, sterilized women were significantly less likely to lose interest in having sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.89), to take too long to reach orgasm (aOR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.50-0.96), to have vaginal dryness during sex (aOR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.50-0.96), and to not find sex pleasurable (aOR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.46-0.90). In addition, sterilized women were also more likely to experience extremely high levels of sexual satisfaction (aOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.27-2.18), and to experience extremely high levels of both sexual pleasure (aOR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.20―2.12) and relationship satisfaction (aOR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.01―1.67). The investigators conclude from these findings that the sexual life of sterilized women does not differ from that of other women with respect to sexual satisfaction, sexual problems, or other sexual outcomes.