Comparison of sexual functioning in women who have history of total hysterectomy with women of similar age without history of hysterectomy

Objective: Hysterectomy is one of the most frequent operations in gynecology, effecting lives of many women. In our study, building groups of the patients who applied to menopause policlinic in our hospital, we aimed to compare sexual functioning of women who had history of total hysterectomy with similar aged women without history of hysterectomy. Material and Methods: Amongst patients who applied to menopause policlinic of our hospital, patients with history of total hysterectomy (for hysterectomy group) and without history of hysterectomy (for control group) were asked to participate in our study after detailed explanation about the study. The inclusion criteria were being literate, having a sexual partner, having no serious urogynecologic pathology which might disturb sexual life found in gynecologic examination. Maintaining undisturbing conditions, 113 participants (55 controls, 58 hysterectomy groups) were given Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) for women forms. Results: In the first evaluation, 8 forms (participants) were excluded from the study as they were misfiled by the participants. Of the remaining participants, 37 were excluded as they had secondary pathologies which might effect sexual functioning. 30 and 38 participants' forms in the control and hysterectomy groups respectively were approved for statistical evaluation. Both groups were indifferent statistically in terms of mean age, mean parity, mean number of alive children, mean of time passed after last menstrual period, mean educational level, and state of having hormone replacement therapy. Statistically no difference was found in mean total scores or mean scores of individual items of ASEX between two groups. In the evaluation of GRISS scores, mean total scores and mean 7 subscale scores were found to be statistically indifferent. However similar significant sexual dysfunctions were found in both groups. Particularly GRISS non-sensuality subscale scores revealed severe dysfunction. Except infrequency and anorgasmia subscale scores, other scores showed dysfunction. Conclusion: In our study we found no difference in sexual functioning of women with history of total hysterectomy and similar aged women without history of hysterectomy. But both groups of women had significant sexual dysfunctions.