Requesting information about and obtaining reversal after tubal sterilization: findings from the US 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 greater than or equal to 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. (Fertil Steril(R) 2000;74:892-8. (C) 2000 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)