Details of the menstrual cycles in 504 women were recorded before laparoscopic sterilization with a spring-loaded clip and at six months and one year after the procedure. The operation did not affect the length of the menstrual cycle or duration of menstrual flow, nor the patient's assessment of the amount of blood losss or the incidence of dysmenorrhoea. The previous method of contraception was significantly related to subsequent menstrual patterns.
PIP: Before, 6 months after, and 1 year after the operation, 504 women who underwent laparoscopic sterilization with tubal occlusion by a spring-loaded clip were asked to report the amount of menstrual bleeding (scanty, normal, or excessive), the degree of dysmenorrhea (nil, mild, moderate, or severe), number of days of menstruation, and length of the cycle. The operation did not affect any of these variables, but previous method of contraception did. 6 months after the operation, women who had previously used oral contraceptives reported a significant increase in days of menstruation, more dysmenorrhea, and an increase in excessive bleeding. Former IUD users reported a significant decrease in days of menstruation, improvement in dysmenorrhea, and decrease of excessive menstrual bleeding. Women who used other methods of contraception before sterilization reported no significant changes.