Alteration of Sexual Function among Females after Laparoscopic and Abdominal Hysterectomy

Background: Alteration of the female sexual functions after hysterectomy have a great concern to patients and clinicians. The introduction of many assessment tools as the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) allowed researchers to assess the sexual functions in a more standardized method. Aim of the work: to assess the consequence of abdominal and laparoscopic hysterectomy on sexual functions. Methods: 60 women aged between 30 to 60 years who underwent hysterectomy (abdominal or laparoscopic) for benign reasons were included in this study, and divided into two groups, total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) and total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH). Using FSFI questionnaire, the sexual functions were assessed 1 day preoperatively and six months postoperatively. Results: The score for Desire was 5.08+0.62 for TAH, 5.06+0.60 for TLH preoperatively; and 5.12+0.58 for TAH, 5.20+0.62 for TLH postoperatively. Arousal was 5.14+0.42 for TAH, 5.19+0.42 for TLH preoperatively and 5.15+0.53 for TAH, 5.22+0.46 for TLH postoperatively. Lubrication was 5.05+0.49 for TAH, 5.15+0.52 for TLH preoperatively and 5.23+0.48 for TAH, 5.23+0.53 for TLH postoperatively. Orgasm was 5.01+0.62 for TAH, 5.00+0.57 for TLH preoperatively and 5.04+0.59 for TAH, 5.13+0.59 for TLH postoperatively. Satisfaction was 4.89+0.63 for TAH &4.89+0.60 for TLH preoperatively and 5.00+0.66 for TAH, 5.20+0.60 for TLH postoperatively. Pain was 4.95+0.48 for TAH, 4.95+0.51 for TLH preoperatively and 5.12+0.53 for TAH, 5.01+0.51 for TLH postoperatively. Conclusion: there was a significant improvement in the female sexual functions after laparoscopic hysterectomy, but after abdominal hysterectomy, there was no improvement. Keywords: Female Sexual Function Index, Arousal, hysterectomy.