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Hysterectomy and sexual functioning

From: Jessica Malaterre (jessica_malaterre@und.nodak.edu)
Fri, 12 Apr 2002 11:55:27 -0500 (CDT)

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My name is Jessica Malaterre and I am a nursing student from the University of North Dakota. During my surgical experience last semester I was able to witness two hysterectomies in which both women were in there late 40's. As I was looking through their charts I noticed that both women had the same concern, "how would their sexual functioning be affected after the surgery?" I thought this would be interesting to find more information. In the literature it said that some women might experience a change in sexual response after a hysterectomy. Because the uterus has been removed, uterine contractions that may have been felt during orgasm no longer occur. Other women may have a heightened response, however. In part this is because they no longer have to worry about getting pregnant and may be relieved of discomfort (Calvin & Williams, 1999). In another study that was conducted it focused on the women's personal hysterectomy experiences to discover possible fears, concerns or educational needs that were not addressed adequately. Women who participated in this study did not feel they were educated enough on the sexual concerns and wanted prehysterectomy and posthysterectomy support groups or a hotline to ask questions and opportunities for interpersonal female discussion. Other women experienced psychological distress and had feelings of loss and grief (Rhodes et all, 2000). A research project that was conducted at the University of Maryland in Baltimore that asked 1000 women about their sexual experience before and after a hysterectomy. The results were 12% of the women reported strong orgasms one year after surgery, 15% desired sex at least once a week and 12% made love at least five times a month and finally only 5% reported their sex life was worse (Doherty, 2000). After reviewing this literature I was wondering if sexual functioning was really better after having a hysterectomy or does it depend upon the woman’s physical and psychological response to this whole procedure?

Calvin, L. R. & Williams, P. R. (2000). Hysterectomy: What women need and want to know? Association of Operating Room Nurses. 72, (6).

Doherty, B., (2000). Better sex after hysterectomy. Prevention. 43, (52).

Rhodes, J., Kjerulff, K., Langernberg, P., & Guzinski, G. (1999). Hysterectomy and Sexual Functioning. The Journal of the American Medical Association. 282, (20).

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