Removing the ovaries during hysterectomy does not negatively impact sexuality or psychological well being in women taking oestrogen.
The post-oophorectomy state is sometimes called female androgen deficiency syndrome, with symptoms such as diminished well-being and decreased libido and sexual pleasure.Researchers from the Goteborg University in Sweden did a study with 362 women scheduled for elective hysterectomy. Of the 323 women who completed 12 months of follow-up, 217 had elected hysterectomy only and 106 had elected hysterectomy plus oophorectomy. The investigators evaluated hormone levels and collected data on sexuality and well being before surgery and one year later.
All women in the hysterectomy/oophorectomy group and women with menopausal symptoms in the hysterectomy group were advised to take oestrogen after surgery in an attempt to make all but the androgen hormone levels equal between the groups. Despite the expected decrease in androgen levels in women in the hysterectomy/oophorectomy group, these women reported no changes in sexuality and an improvement in their psychological well-being. Women in the hysterectomy-only group also reported similar improvements in well being, but experienced a decrease in 3 out of 14 sexual parameters -- sexual enjoyment, coital frequency, and total sexual score.
April 2005
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