Sexuality after hysterectomy

To review the literature regarding sexuality after hysterectomy and identify areas for future research.

Articles published between 1970 and 2000 on sexuality and hysterectomy were located using MEDLINE, CINAHL, Psychlit, and Sociofile databases.

English language research dealing with the topic was reviewed.

Study findings were categorized and include studies of the effect of hysterectomy on sexuality, women's perspectives on hysterectomy, and information sharing with women prior to surgery.

A number of studies have explored sexuality after hysterectomy. Many of these studies have methodologic flaws, including vague measures of sexual satisfaction and potential for recall bias. A major source of bias is that the first measure of sexual satisfaction/functioning was performed in the immediate preoperative period when symptoms are more likely to affect sexual functioning.

There are a number of gaps in the knowledge base pertaining to this topic. Future research in this area is needed to provide direction for nurses in the clinical area. Topics for future research include what women and their partners want to know about sexuality following hysterectomy and the most efficient methods to provide them with this information. In addition, sexuality in premorbid women needs to be more fully described.