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COUNSELING FOR STERILIZATION

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

There is an increasing acceptance of surgical sterilization as a method of permanent contraception. Changing attitudes and technologic innovations have caused the demand for sterilization to increase dramatically. Only the couple or the individual can make a final decision for or against sterilization-the role of the physician is to give counsel. Four basic questions must be resolved: should sterilization be performed? who should be sterilized? how is sterilization to be done? and when should it be performed? Once the decision has been made the requirements of informed consent must be met before surgery is performed. The procedure, its risks and fallibility must be explained and understood. When this is properly done, concern about litigation need to no greater than in any other elective operation. State laws rarely pose a problem.