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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Involuntary sterilization in the United States: a surgical solution.

Although the eugenics movement in the United States flourished during the first quarter of the 20th Century, its roots lie in concerns over the cost of caring for "defective" persons, concerns that first became manifest in the 19th Century. The history of state-supported programs of involuntary sterilization indicates that this "surgical solution" persisted until the 1950s. A review of the archives of prominent eugenicists, the records of eugenic organizations, important legal cases, and state reports indicates that public support for the involuntary sterilization of insane and retarded persons was broad and sustained. During the early 1930s there was a dramatic increase in the number of sterilizations performed upon mildly retarded young women. This change in policy was a product of the Depression. Institutional officials were concerned that such women might bear children for whom they could not provide adequate parental care, and thus would put more demands on strained social services. There is little evidence to suggest that the excesses of the Nazi sterilization program (initiated in 1934) altered American programs. Data are presented here to show that a number of state-supported eugenic sterilization programs were quite active long after scientists had refuted the eugenic thesis.

Eugenics↗
PubMed1997

Levonorgestrel subdermal implants. Contraception on trial.

When they were introduced to the world market in the 1980s, levonorgestrel subdermal implants offered the promise of an exciting alternative to traditional hormonal contraception. They provide highly effective, long-acting protection from pregnancy, without the need for user compliance. Broad acceptability of the drug has been reported throughout the world. Recently, however, the implants have met with opposition. The drug is associated with a variety of adverse effects, and removal of implants can be problematic. Serious events have been reported in women using levonorgestrel subdermal implants, although causal relationships have not been demonstrated. Additionally, concerns have been raised over the potential for coercive use of the drug. Numerous law suits have been filed alleging serious problems with implants. As a result, the drug has received considerable negative media attention. Before the controversy over levonorgestrel subdermal implants erupted, contraceptive development had declined, resulting from limitations to profits and funding, legal threats, and changes in the insurance industry. The levonorgestrel subdermal implant experience may serve to accelerate this trend. While the introduction of levonorgestrel subdermal implants offered an alternative to the current array of medical contraception, its experience may serve to dampen future contraceptive development efforts. Costly litigation and much controversy involving the implants have acted to create disincentives to further research and development of new methods of medical contraception.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1995

Prognostic factors for preoperative consultation of women desiring sterilization: findings of a retrospective analysis.

In this exploratory study, 37 sterilized women applying for sterilization reversal were questioned thoroughly to establish why they had decided to undergo sterilization and why they now wished for it to be reversed. Taking an interactive behavioral model as our starting point, we concentrated on the psychosocial circumstances leading to the definitive decision to be sterilized. A relationship crisis at the time of sterilization was found to be a prognostically unfavorable factor. Furthermore, 20 of the 37 patients cited new partnerships as their main reason for seeking reversal. Those who felt pressurized by their gynecologist or partner into undergoing sterilization had significantly more problems in overcoming the psychological stress accompanying such an operation than those who, through a series of consultations on contraception, had had sufficient time and opportunity to make their own decisions. Sterilization performed for medical reasons was found to have particularly problematical consequences, especially where the doctor had made the decision largely on his own, failing to give an adequate explanation for the medical necessity of the operation. Regarding the time chosen for sterilization, the study revealed that the patient's postoperative psychological condition was significantly worse when sterilization was carried out immediately after a delivery, after abortion or after Caesarean section, rather than in the interval between pregnancies. The resulting increase in the incidence of psychosomatic complaints and depressive states is also confirmed in the literature. The findings of this study offer practical suggestions for improved preoperative consultation and should help to determine the course of action to be taken when a patient wishes to be sterilized.

Adult↗