The impact of hemorrhoidectomy on sexual function in women: a preliminary study

The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of sexual problems in post-hemorrhoidectomy females. The study consisted of a surgical group and a control group of women between the ages of 22 and 74 years, 39 with and 39 without hemorrhoidectomy. Female sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The level of sexual function was calculated for each domain and compared across domains and demographic variables for each group. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among the post-hemorrhoidectomy participants was 48.7% (19/39) and among the healthy women 7.7% (3/39). The average FSFI score was significantly lower in the surgical group (46.38+/-28.13) than in the control group (65.69+/-18.48) (P=0.001). All the FSFI domain scores, with the exception of the desire domain, were significantly lower for the surgical group relative to the healthy group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that group (P=0.001) and age (P=0.013) were predictors of problems in female sexual functioning. This preliminary study shows that women who have had a hemorrhoidectomy are at higher risk of sexual function problems. The sexual function of women with hemorrhoidectomy should be evaluated to provide them with a better quality of life.