Temporal trend in the use of hysteroscopic vs laparoscopic sterilization and the characteristics of commercially insured and Medicaid-insured females in the US who have had the procedures.

PURPOSE: Limited research has examined the factors associated with female permanent contraception procedures. This study evaluated the temporal trend in the use of hysteroscopic sterilization (HS) vs laparoscopic sterilization (LS) and characteristics of commercially insured and Medicaid-insured women in the US who have had the procedures.

METHODS: Women aged 15-49 years with claims for HS and LS procedures were identified from two MarketScan databases, one consisting of commercial claims and the other Medicaid claims, during the time period of January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2012 and January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2011, respectively. Proportions and characteristics of women who underwent HS or LS procedures were determined. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify characteristics associated with the use of HS vs LS.

RESULTS: Commercially insured women who had HS (n=32,012) vs LS (n=64,725) were slightly older (37.2 years vs 36.4 years, respectively, P<0.001) but had similar Charlson Comorbidity Index scores. Among commercially insured women, those who had a sterilization procedure during 2008-2012 were more likely to undergo HS (odds ratio: 7.1, P<0.001) than those who had a sterilization procedure during 2003-2007. Medicaid-insured women who had HS (n=2,001) were also slightly older than women who had LS (n=12,523; 30.1 years vs 28.8 years, respectively, P<0.001) but had a higher mean Charlson Comorbidity Index score (0.32 vs 0.25, respectively, P<0.001). Among Medicaid-insured women, the likelihood of having HS vs LS increased 3.3-fold (P<0.001) in years 2009-2011 compared to years 2006-2008. Among both populations, older age, obesity, and the use of oral contraceptives within the previous 12 months were associated with having HS vs LS.

CONCLUSION: Among both commercially insured and Medicaid-insured women, the likelihood of having HS vs LS increased over time.