Problems Reported as Complications

• Problems affect women’s satisfaction with female sterilization. They deserve the provider’s attention. If the client reports complications of female sterilization, listen to her concerns, give advice and support, and, if appropriate, treat. Make sure she understands the advice and agrees.

Infection at the incision site (redness, heat, pain, pus)

• Clean the infected area with soap and water or antiseptic.
• Give oral antibiotics for 7 to 10 days.
• Ask the client to return after taking all antibiotics if the infection has not cleared.

Abscess (a pocket of pus under the skin caused by infection)

• Clean the area with antiseptic.
• Cut open (incise) and drain the abscess.
• Treat the wound.
• Give oral antibiotics for 7 to 10 days.
• Ask the client to return after taking all antibiotics if she has heat, redness, pain, or drainage of the wound.

Severe pain in lower abdomen

• If the surgical procedure was recently performed, assess for any other problem that may indicate that the condition is related to the surgery, such as bleeding, lack of appetite, lack of bowel transit, lack of urination, or fever. If any of these are present, rapidly refer the client to a higher- level facility with surgical capability.
• If the surgery took place some months or years ago, suspect an ectopic pregnancy.
• See also Managing Ectopic Pregnancy.

Suspected pregnancy

• Assess for pregnancy, including ectopic pregnancy.