The Lived Experience of Hospitalized Women Undergoing Hysterectomy: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Background: Hysterectomy is one of the main gynecological procedures which affect a woman's life in numerous ways, including physically, psychologically, socially, and sexually. Following hysterectomy, these effects on the women's physical and mental health are contradictory, despite improvements in their biopsychosocial function. The aim of the current study is to explore the lived experience of hospitalized women undergoing hysterectomy. Design: A phenomenological qualitative research design was utilized to achieve the aim of the study. Sample: A purposive sample of fifteen women who had a hysterectomy. Tools for data collection: three tools were used for data collection; a structured interviewing questionnaire; an unstructured interviewing questionnaire; the digital voice recorder and field notes. Setting: The interview was conducted at the high-risk pregnancy unit and gynecological inpatient department at Obstetrics and Gynecological Hospital which is affiliated with Cairo University Hospitals. Results: The overall experience as perceived by the participants could be described, within a framework of time sequences, as the following: 1) The immediate reaction towards hysterectomy was reflected by different feelings such as acceptance of the diagnosis, shock, sadness, and depression; 2) Early post-procedure suffering due to physical and psychological factors; 3) Expected later concerns and actual needs such as concern about family and children, sexual concern, need for affections and support from husband, needs for education; 4) Late post-procedures complaints due to fatigability, weight loss, social effects, loss feminine role, anxiety, altered sexual behavior and excitement. Conclusion: The current study concluded that hysterectomy has negative physical, psychological, and social impacts on women's lives in this study sample. Recommendation: Before women are discharged from the hospital, healthcare professionals in postoperative departments must address these potentially distressing psychological and physical consequences of hysterectomy.