title: Hysterectomy and sexual wellbeing: prospective observational study of vaginal hysterectomy, subtotal abdominal hysterectomy, and total abdominal hysterectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of vaginal hysterectomy, subtotal abdominal hysterectomy, and total abdominal hysterectomy on sexual wellbeing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observational study over six months.
  
  
  METHODS
  13 teaching and non-teaching hospitals in the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  413 women who underwent hysterectomy for benign disease other than symptomatic prolapse of the uterus and endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reported sexual pleasure, sexual activity, and bothersome sexual problems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sexual pleasure significantly improved in all patients, independent of the type of hysterectomy. The prevalence of one or more bothersome sexual problems six months after vaginal hysterectomy, subtotal abdominal hysterectomy, and total abdominal hysterectomy was 43% (38/89), 41% (31/76), and 39% (57/145), respectively (chi2 test, P = 0.88).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sexual pleasure improves after vaginal hysterectomy, subtotal abdominal hysterectomy, and total abdominal hysterectomy. The persistence and development of bothersome problems during sexual activity were similar for all three techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, Netherlands. j_proovers@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jan-Paul W R
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Roovers
authors.forename: Johanna G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: van der Bom
authors.forename: C Huub
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: van der Vaart
authors.forename: A Peter M
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Heintz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000523:psychology; D007989:Libido; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires