STERILIZATION

Any medical or surgical intervention which renders a

patient, female or male, incapable of reproduction,
organically or functionally, temporarily or
permanently.

TYPES OF STERILIZATION

A. SURGICAL METHODS
B. NON-SURGICAL METHODS

SURGICAL METHODS:
Involve the suppression of the reproductive organs
(male or female) by operating on any of their different parts
and cause organic sterilization.

NON-SURGICAL METHODS:
Involve a blockade of the maturation process of the
ovum using pharmacologic agents (anovulatory drugs),
which inhibit ovulation and cause temporary or
permanent sterility in women (functional sterilization).

1
SURGICAL METHODS EMPLOYED IN FEMALES:

1. OPHORECTOMY - extirpation of the ovary.

2. SALPINGECTOMY - ligation or extirpation of the
Fallopian tube.
3. HYSTERECTOMY - removal of the uterus.

SURGICAL METHODS EMPLOYED IN MALES:

1. CASTRATION - extirpation of the testicles.

2. VASECTOMY - ligation or extirpation of the Vas
deferens.
3. EMASCULATION - suppression of the male genital
apparatus.

NON-SURGICAL METHODS:

Involve a blockade of the maturation process of the

ovum using pharmacologic agents (anovulatory drugs),
which inhibit ovulation and cause temporary or
permanent sterility in women (functional sterilization).

2
 CLASSIFICATION OF STERILIZATION
FROM THE LEGAL VIEWPOINT.

A. EUGENIC STERILIZATION
performed for the purpose of hindering the
conception of undesirable or mentally unfit offspring. A
sort of social engineering – to design a society that is
free from individuals afflicted with social diseases or
grave mental defects.
1. idiots, imbeciles, morons, insane persons
2. with congenital and inherited diseases and
carriers of defective genes

B. THERAPEUTIC STERILIZATION
the consequence of extirpating a pathologic
reproductive organ, which endangers the life of the
patient (extirpation of cancerous uterus).

C. CONTRACEPTICE STERILIZATION
whether organic or functional, is the intentional
prevention of conception which consists in suppres-
sing ovulation in the female, thus rendering her
sterile.

D. PUNITIVE STERILIZATION:
Done as a punishment for crime or antisocial
behavior, particularly rape and other sex-related
offenses. This is compulsory or involuntary sterilization.

3
 ETHICAL EVALUATION ON STERILIZATION

A. INDIRECT OR THERAPEUTIC STERILIZATION:

is considered licit since the intervention is not

directed towards sterilization, but sterility results
from the extensive extirpation of pathologic tissues.

B. DIRECT STERILIZATION:

By its very nature has one sole immediate effect:

to make procreation impossible. This includes the so-
called “preventive sterilization” (Pregnancy can ag-
gravate some diseases, thus the risk of getting
pregnant is removed by sterilization).
Direct sterilization, whether temporary or perma-
nent, is UNETHICAL, despite the good intention
and is condemned by the church. Direct sterilization is
against the dignity of the human person. It harms
the integrity and the very essence of matrimony by
voluntarily and artificially separating the unitive and
procreative aspects of the conjugal act.

4
C. POST-CAESARIAN STERILIZATION:
 From the ethical standpoint, this is not
justifiable because it is a form of direct sterilization
to prevent conception. (being questioned by modern
obstetrics)

WHAT COULD BE DONE IN THESE CASES?

1. There have been cases of 9 or more consecutive

caesarian operations which have delivered live
babies without maternal nor fetal complications.
Therefore, it cannot be affirmed that a woman who
has had 3 or 4 caesarian will present grave problems.
One has to evaluate in each case whether or not a
real pathologic situation exists.

2. In those cases wherein the obstetrician judges that

after successive caesarian operations the uterus has
become pathological due to scars or adhesions
and therefore, may rupture with a subsequent
pregnancy, he would have to advise the woman to
resort to licit methods of avoiding conception.

3. An alternative solution would be to perform elective

hysterectomy if the uterus is indeed pathological
(due to scars adhesions, danger of rupture, etc.). This
would then be a case of indirect sterilization whereby
a diseased organ is removed.

On repeat Caesarian sections:

1. McNally – reported 130 CS “results make one
supports the capabilities of uteri subjected to repeat
CS are underestimated and that majority of scars,
even in advanced parity, remain intact”.
2. Dr. Robert Cosgrave, Margaret Hague Maternity
Hospital, Jersey city, U.S. – Re: sterilization after 2 or 3
CS: “there should be no set limit, provided the integrity
of the uterus is maintained”.

SUMMARY ON THE ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

ON STERILIZATION

It is LICIT to perform only INDIRECT STERILIZATION:

Therapeutic Sterilization:
- Surgical intervention
- Extirpation of diseased organ
- Pharmacologic agents

It is morally ILLICIT to perform DIRECT

STERILIZATION:

Eugenic Sterilization
Preventive or punitive Sterilization