Survey finds sex improves after hysterectomy

net1

Sexual enjoyment appears to improve after a hysterectomy despite women's concerns.

Researchers in the Netherlands compared the sexual well-being of 413 women who underwent three different types of hysterectomy - vaginal, subtotal abdominal and total abdominal.

They concluded that in all the patients sexual pleasure improved significantly after surgery, regardless of the type of hysterectomy.

The team, from the University Medical Centre in Utrecht, noted that the uterus, which is removed in the operation, has long been regarded as "a source of energy and vitality, and a maintainer of youth and attractiveness".

The authors wrote in the British Medical Journal: "Because hysterectomy disrupts the local nerve supply and anatomical relations of the pelvic organs, it has been thought that the function of these organs may be adversely affected."

To test whether this was the case, the women were asked about their sexuality, frequency of sex and any problems they experienced during sex before and six months after surgery.

Overall, they found there was a reduction in sexual problems reported after all forms of the operation.

The authors concluded that sexual well-being improved after hysterectomies using all the techniques and that sexual problems were also less common after surgery.