Effects of Hysterectomy on Sexual Function

• Published in: Current sexual health reports Vol. 6; no. 4; pp. 244 - 251
• Main Authors: Lonnée-Hoffmann, Risa, Pinas, Ingrid
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 2014; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Breast cancer; Cervix; Clinical trials; Endocrinology; Endometriosis; Estrogens; Female Sexual Dysfunction and Disorders (A Giraldi and L Brotto; Female Sexual Dysfunction and Disorders (A Giraldi and L Brotto, Section Editors); Females; Hysterectomy; Laparoscopy; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mortality; Observational studies; Oophorectomy; Orgasm; Ovarian cancer; Quality of life; Section Editors; Surgery; Topical Collection on Female Sexual Dysfunction and Disorders; Urology; Uterus; Vagina; Womens health; United States > US; Sexual dysfunction/physiological/etiology; Sexual behavior/physiology/psychology; Gynecological surgical procedures/adverse effects/methods; Women’s health; Hysterectomy; Outcome assessment (health care); Sexual function
• ISSN: 1548-3584; 1548-3592
• DOI: 10.1007/s11930-014-0029-3

Hysterectomy remains the most common major gynecological surgery. Postoperative sexual function is a concern for many women and their partners. In this respect, a beneficial effect of hysterectomy for benign disease independent of surgical techniques or removal of the cervix has been demonstrated in the past decade by the majority of studies. For about 20 % of women, deteriorated sexual function has been reported and current research is attempting to identify mechanisms and predictive factors explaining these postoperative changes. Alternative treatments of benign uterine disorders or uterus preserving surgery for genital prolapse appeared to have similar outcomes in terms of sexual function. Concomitant oophorectomy had negative effects on sexual function and long-term health, particularly in premenopausal women. This may not be reversed by estrogen replacement. Hysterectomy performed for malignancy had a detrimental effect on sexual function. Individualized risk assessment and information should be aimed at during preoperative decision making.