Hysterectomy’s Psychosexual Effects in Turkish Women

Abstract

Although many current studies have been conducted about sexual functioning after hysterectomy, the number of studies evaluating both sexual functioning and psychological wellness together is very limited. This study was planned for the purpose of investigating hysterectomy's psychosexual effects. Ninety-three women were interviewed by the researcher face-to-face. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered 1-3 days before and repeated 3 months after the hysterectomy. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were done to explore women's attitudes about sexuality. In the third month after hysterectomy 49.5% of the women had begun to have sexual intercourse again, 34.3% of those were determined to have a decrease in sexual functions. It was also found that level of depression was less in the postoperative period compared to the preoperative period. Three months after hysterectomy, sexual functioning had significantly decreased. A clear resolution in symptoms of depression was seen after hysterectomy. It was determined that sexual functioning after hysterectomy was affected by advanced age, a women's attitude about sexuality, and the type of hysterectomy. In addition, sexual functioning was negatively affected by symptoms of depression.

Attitudes and Barriers of Diabetes Health Care Professionals on Sexual Health

“…Sexual health is considered important in Turkey; however, it is still a private matter and seen as a taboo. In addition, social prejudice, cultural and moral values, and negative approach to sexuality are important barriers for the assessment, treatment and consultancy of sexual problems [21][22][23][24][25]. Sexuality cannot be easily spoken among spouses, parents, children, patients and health professionals [26].…”

Postmenopozal kadınlarda testosteron hormonunun cinsel disfonksiyon tedavisindeki önemi: literatürün gözden geçirilmesi

“…Yunanca kökenli ay ve kesilme kelimelerinden türetilmiş olan menopoz terimi, ilk olarak Fransız hekim Gardanne tarafından 1821 yılında kullanılmış [3] ; mens olmadan geçen 12 ayın sonunda beraberinde overyan hormon sekresyonunun azalması olarak tanımlanmıştır. Kadınlarda overyan folliküller, menopoz sonrasında hiç kalmayacak şekilde, doğumdan itibaren azalmaya başlar.…”

Psychosexual Adaptation and Quality of Life After Hysterectomy

“…Yet in the other studies which are prospective, the fact that the evaluations are made just a couple hours or days before the operations, will affect the answer given by the women who suffer the symptoms and experience preoperative anxiety [18]. In the studies of Rhodes et al [19], Dragisic and Milad [13], Bayram and Ş ahin [20], Jeng et al [21] and Aziz et al [22], postoperative sexual functions are compared with the operation-time sexual functions. However, sexual functions during the operation may be affected negatively by complaints such as bleeding and pain.…”

“…One other limitation of these studies is not conducting the statistical analyses which allow comparison of the outcomes with the type of the hysterectomy and the hormonal state, as in the study by Rhodes et al [19]. The researchers except Kuppermann et al [23], Aziz et al [22] and Bayram and Ş ahin [20], used the questionnaires prepared by themselves instead of scales useful in providing objective data in the evaluation of psychosexual state. Due to limited use of objective diagnostic methods and not being able to determine the subjective aspect of sexuality, many scales are developed today as diagnostic tools.…”

“…Therefore psychosexual effects must be observed at least 6 months after the operation [18]. In the studies by Bayram and Ş ahin [20] and Yeoum and Park [28], in which the psychosexual evaluations following hysterectomy were made in the 3rd month of postoperative period, it is observed that, in this period sexual functions after hysterectomy were affected negatively.…”