Respective consequences of abdominal, vaginal, and laparoscopic hysterectomies on women's sexuality.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relative effects of abdominal, vaginal or laparoscopic approaches for hysterectomy on female sexuality.


METHODS
One hundred and seventy women who underwent abdominal (n=68), vaginal (n=67), and laparoscopic (n=35) hysterectomy for benign disease were studied. Pre- and postoperative sexuality was assessed by questionnaire.


RESULTS
Overall, sexuality after hysterectomy remained unchanged in 60.4% of cases, and improved or deteriorated in 21.3 and 18.3%, respectively. Postoperative delay in resuming sexual activity was shorter after vaginal (45.2+/-6.7 days) hysterectomy than after abdominal hysterectomy (62.4+/-9.3 days). Deterioration of sexual function occurred more frequently after abdominal hysterectomy (24%) than after vaginal (13.5%) or laparoscopic (8.5%) hysterectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that the impact of vaginal and laparoscopic hysterectomy on women's sexuality may be milder than that of abdominal hysterectomy.
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Toulouse, France. jamayou@aol.com
J M
JM
Ayoubi
R
R
Fanchin
X
X
Monrozies
P
P
Imbert
J M
JM
Reme
J C
JC
Pons
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D019529:Sexuality / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000601:surgery