Influence of partner relationship on sexuality after subtotal hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to address the question of the importance of a partner relationship with regards to sexuality before and after hysterectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

One hundred and four women were interviewed before and after hysterectomy. Sexual desire, activity, satisfaction and dysfunction were compared between women without, with a poor, and with a good partner relationship. The difference in predictive value of preoperative sexuality for postoperative sexuality for the groups was estimated with a multiple regression analysis method (LISREL).

RESULTS

Improved sexuality, one year after hysterectomy, was experienced by 61% of women with a good partner relationship, by 17% of those with a poor relationship but no improvement was seen in women who had no regular partner relationship. When influence of preoperative frequency of sexual desire, activity, satisfaction and dysfunction on postoperative sexuality was studied, orgasmic capacity was a better predictor for women with poor or ambivalent relationship than for women with good partner relationships.

CONCLUSION

Women with no or ambivalent partner relationship are more at risk for deterioration of sexuality after hysterectomy.