Sexual pleasure improves after hysterectomy

Many women are concerned that hysterectomy may affect their sexual attractiveness, but a study in this week’s BMJ finds that sexual pleasure improves after hysterectomy.

Researchers in the Netherlands compared the effects of three types of hysterectomy (vaginal, subtotal abdominal, and total abdominal hysterectomy) on the sexual wellbeing of 413 women.

All women completed a questionnaire before and six months after surgery about their sexuality, frequency of sexual activity, and problems during sexual activity.

Sexual pleasure significantly improved in all patients, regardless of the type of hysterectomy. The persistence and development of bothersome problems during sexual activity were also similar for all three surgical techniques, conclude the authors.