Abstract

This study was to assess women's adjustment in their sexuality before and after hysterectomy by examining a broad range of outcomes experienced by women undergoing hysterectomies for both benign and malignant conditions. Nineteen women presenting for hysterectomies for leiomyoma, endometriosis, and adenomyosis completed all three periods of data collection. They completed a questionnaire assessing information related to their current mental health of depression and anxiety, well-being, sense of identity, and lifestyle index just before surgery and at 1~2 and 4~6 months after surgery. They also rated their sexual interest, sexual satisfaction, and frequency of sexual intercourse both before and after the surgery. Additional demographic and medical information was extracted from the medical record. In the initial period after surgery, the patients showed an improved mental health status. While most of them showed stable status of well-being, identity, lifestyle, and sociability throughout the data collection period, they reported an improved sexual functioning at the last session of data collection. That is, about 80% of them have already initiated sexual intercourse by 4~6 months after the surgery. It was discussed that the outcomes for these women undergoing hysterectomy were generally positive.