PSYCHIATRIC EFFECTS OF HYSTERECTOMY

An excess of psychiatric symptoms in post-hysterectomy women have been reported by some authors but denied by others. Thirty six women undergoing hysterectomy for non-malignant pathologies were compared with equal number of comparable patients who underwent other gynaecological operations. Patients were assessed pre- and post-operatively by semi-structured psychiatric interview, Sinha's anxiety scale and Hamilton's depression rating scale. Patients undergoing hysterectomy were significantly more anxious and depressed both pre- and post-operatively as compared to the control patients. Hysterectomy was not associated with significantly higher psychiatric morbidity.