Sexuality after Hysterectomy

Abstract

Objective To explore the frequency of sexual desire, masturbation, orgasm, coitus, dyspareunia and the quality of sexuality prior to disease symptoms and 6 months after hysterectomy.

Subjects and methods Thirty-eight patients who had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were interviewed including both open-ended and structured questions on the fifth postoperative day and six months after hysterectomy. Chi-Square with Yates' correction and Fisher exact test were used for statistical analysis.

Results Thirty-three women in reproductive age who had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy due to non-malignant conditions of the uterus were included. Six months after hysterectomy, the frequency of sexual desire, masturbation and orgasm were observed to be unchanged, however, the frequency of coitus increased and dyspareunia reduced significantly. Considering the overall quality of sexuality, 67% were observed to be unchanged, 21% felt better and 12% felt worse.

Conclusion After total abdominal hysterectomy without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, the majority of patient's sexual behaviours were observed to be unchanged. Strikingly, the frequency of dyspareunia were reduced and the frequency of coitus increased significantly.