Respective consequences of abdominal, vaginal, and laparoscopic hysterectomies on women's sexuality

Objective: To determine the relative effects of abdominal, vaginal or laparoscopic approaches for hysterectomy on female sexuality. Study design: One hundred and seventy women who underwent abdominal (n = 68), vaginal (n = 67), and laparoscopic (n = 35) hysterectomy for benign disease were studied. Pre- and postoperative sexuality was assessed by questionnaire. Results: Overall, sexuality after hysterectomy remained unchanged in 60.4% of cases, and improved or deteriorated in 21.3 and 18.3%, respectively. Postoperative delay in resuming sexual activity was shorter after vaginal (45.2 +/- 6.7 days) hysterectomy than after abdominal hysterectomy (62.4 +/- 9.3 days). Deterioration of sexual function occurred more frequently after abdominal hysterectomy (24%) than after vaginal (13.5%) or laparoscopic (8.5%) hysterectomy. Conclusion: These results indicate that the impact of vaginal and laparoscopic hysterectomy on women's sexuality may be milder than that of abdominal hysterectomy. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.