This document focuses on sterilization as a method for family planning. It draws on data supplied by survey questionnaires clinical records and follow up interviews as well as social science literature dating from the 1950s. Sterilization is explored in terms of incidence prevalence and demographic factors. Legal and medical aspects are addressed including a brief discussion on sterilization reversal the procedures involved and their safety and effectiveness. The data shows that voluntary sterilization is often the method of choice for couples who decide they definitely do not want any more children. In the 1960s the idea of sterilization was not widely accepted; only 6% of US couples opted for this choice. By 1970 however advances in the surgical techiniques were accompanied by greater acceptance. 10.6% of couples used sterilization and by 1982 the number had climbed to 27.9%. More voluntary sterilization programs with good quality control and policies which are non restrictive are needed.
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Ross et al. (1985) studied this question.