[A study on the relationship between pre- and post-hysterectomy sexual behavior differences and the sexual satisfaction of women who have had a hysterectomy].

The objective of this study was to provide a basis for sexual counselling and education for women who have had a hysterectomy. This was a cross sectional descriptive correlation study. There were 230 subjects in the study. The time period from the hysterectomy varied from one month to eighteen months. The subjects were selected by a convenient sampling method. The tool for this study was developed by the researcher through a literature review, consultation from 36 women who have had a hysterectomy and nursing faculty. A pilot study was done to determine the necessary modifications. Data collection was done between Sept. 1987 and Dec. 1987 using a mailed questionnaire. The results of this study are summarized as follows; 1. The differences between pre-post hysterectomy sexual behavior in frequency was that all the sexual behaviors were decreased; the decreased rate of coitus was 20.7%, of kissing or embracing 10.9%, of fondling of sexual organs 8.7%, of female prone-position 3.3%, of petting 7.7%, of sexual day dream 1.0%. 2. For the low income group, the sexual behavior with the most significant decrease in frequency was fondling the sex organs (t = 2.21, p less than .05). For the housewife group, it was a decrease in the one of the female prone position (t = -2.02, p less than .05). For the group under the age of 39, it was petting (t = -2.13, p less than .05). The housewife group showed an increase in sexual day dreams as compared to the group having a job (t = -3.12, p less than .01). The group that did not received the post-op information, showed a significant decrease in kissing or embracing behavior (t = 2.73, p less than .01), and male prone position (t = -2.46, p less than .01), and also the group that did not receive the pre-op information showed a significant decrease of male prone position (t = -2.19, p less than .05), and also of petting (t = -2.95, p less than .01). 3. The relationship between sexual behavior pre-post hysterectomy differences and sexual satisfaction only showed a significant correlation for the sexual behavior of coitus (r = -2.012, p less than .001), and fondling of sex organs (r = -.1121, p less than .05). In conclusion, although there were a decrease in all sexual behavior after the hysterectomy, the difference between the pre hysterectomy sexual behavior and the post hysterectomy sexual behavior correlated with sexual satisfaction for only of the two behaviors.