Sexual response in the patient after hysterectomy: total abdominal versus supracervical versus vaginal procedure

Objective The present study examines the patientʹs own appraisal of her sexual responsiveness after hysterectomy. Study design Four hundred women who had undergone hysterectomy within a 3-year period were selected randomly and asked to respond to a questionnaire that was devised to ascertain the patientʹs own objective evaluation of self-image, sexuality, and sexual response before and after hysterectomy. The confidential responses were analyzed, noting the presence of any significant divergence between demographic and procedural cohorts. Results Of 126 respondents, 48.4% underwent total abdominal hysterectomy; 34.1% underwent vaginal hysterectomy, and 17.4% underwent supracervical hysterectomy. The mean patient age was 49.7±8.7 years. No direct correlation was found between hysterectomy type and age. Most women did not report any significant deterioration in mental attitude after the procedure (P = .788). Self and body image also remained consistent, with only 25.3% indicating a change for the worse. Only 10.3% of respondents felt less feminine after hysterectomy; nearly 70% of the respondents did not feel less feminine. Responses that pertained to libido, sexual activity, or feelings of femininity did not reveal significant changes (P > .05). Satisfaction with procedural choice was positive (54.8%), with only 7.1% responding unfavorably. Conclusion The responses suggest that neither self-image nor sexuality need diminish after hysterectomy. The type of hysterectomy that was performed did not appear to affect the attitudes of the respondents.