ABSTRACT

Objective

We aimed to evaluate body perception, self-respect, sexual function, and life quality levels in women who had hysterectomies for benign reasons and whose treatment was completed.

Material and Methods

The present study included 60 women who had hysterectomies and 45 women with matching demographic characteristics as the control. Hospital anxiety depression scale (HADS), Penn State worry questionnaire (PSWQ), short form health survey (SF-36), the body perception questionnaire (BPQ), the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES), and the Arizona sexual experience scale (ASEX)-female version was applied to all participants.

Results

The depression subscale and total anxiety depression score were significantly higher in the hysterectomy group (p= 0.017 and 0.037, respectively). Similarly, the hysterectomy group’s PSDQ, RSES, and ASEX scores were higher (p< 0.001). All subscales of SF-36 were worse in the patient group (p< 0.05).

Conclusion

It was revealed that after the hysterectomy, anxiety-depression levels of the patients increased, self-esteem decreased, and life quality and sexual functioning deteriorated. The hysterectomy operation method did not affect depression, anxiety, or sexuality. Additional studies are needed to better illuminate postoperative psychiatric symptoms and diseases. In addition, psychiatric support is suggested for patients to ease their adaptation to postoperative treatment to shorten recovery times