<b>Female sterilization: searching for the control of their fertility</b> - doi: 10.4025/cienccuidsaude.v11i5.17059

Abstract

We observe that the women who are seeking female sterilization, very seldom change their opinion. These women usually express a deep fear of becoming pregnant and search for the most efficient possible method of sterilization. The objective of this study was to describe and analyze the representations of the existing female sterilization in a group of 31 sterilized women. It is a descriptive and qualitative study that had the information collected through interviews, carried out through a half-structured form and thematic script. Female sterilization was referred as a method that surpasses the deficiencies presented by the reversible contraceptive methods and it was represented as: an "efficient and ultimate method"; a "method that does not harm your health"; an "easy method to use", since it does not need anything to manage it; a "method that does not interfere with the intercourse" which brings tranquility to the sexuality, without the risk of an unwanted pregnancy; a "method that that does not depend of the men’s participation”. An only negative representation of the female sterilization reported in several interviews, was of being a "method of difficult access” due to a lack of money to pay for it in a private health service or to the long waiting to have it performed in the public services.