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Surgical menopause: effects on psychological well-being and sexuality
1Vincent Ob/Gyn Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. jshifren@partners.org
Objective:
Women anticipating surgical menopause often have significant concerns regarding the effects of surgery on psychological well-being and sexuality.
Results:
The impact of hysterectomy, often with concurrent oophorectomy, on well-being and sexuality will vary depending on many factors. These include a woman's preoperative mental health and sexual function, the indications for surgery, and the specific procedure being performed. Whether or not estrogen therapy is an option also will affect a woman's postoperative symptoms and experience of surgical menopause.
Conclusions:
The majority of research on the effects of surgical menopause shows improved psychological well-being and sexual function after hysterectomy for benign disease. Women with depression or sexual problems preoperatively are at increased risk for experiencing a worsening of mood and libido postoperatively.
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