A survey of ocular complaints in postmenopausal women.

Aging patients often complain about chronic ocular irritation, which is commonly related to dryness of the eyes. To determine the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on ocular complaints and tear production, we compared these parameters in postmenopausal women who were taking or not taking HRT. A questionnaire was administered to determine the number of ophthalmic complaints of 79 women who were postmenopausal at least 1 year (mean, 22 +/- 13.

Effectiveness of hysterectomy.

Objective: To measure the effectiveness of hysterectomy in relieving adverse symptoms and to identify factors associated with lack of symptom relief.

Methods: In a 2-year prospective study, data were collected before and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after hysterectomy in 1,299 women who had hysterectomies for benign conditions at 28 hospitals across Maryland. Effectiveness was measured in terms of relief of symptoms such as problematic vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and urinary incontinence.

Hysterectomy and sexual functioning.

Context: Women considering hysterectomy often are concerned about its potential effects on their sexual functioning but the effects of hysterectomy on sexual functioning remain unclear.

Objective: To examine changes in sexual functioning after hysterectomy.

Design And Setting: A 2-year prospective study (Maryland Women's Health Study) of hysterectomy, which included measures of sexual functioning prior to hysterectomy and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after hysterectomy, performed during 1992 and 1993.

Effect of trauma and pelvic fracture on female genitourinary, sexual, and reproductive function.

Objectives/hypothesis: To evaluate the impact of a pelvic fracture on a woman's physical, sexual, and reproductive functioning.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Level one trauma center.

Cost-Effectiveness of Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy.

This study enrolled nearly 1300 women having hysterectomy for benign indications at 28 hospitals during 1992 and 1993. Of these procedures, 816 were performed abdominally, 311 vaginally, and 154 were laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomies (LAVH). On average, LAVH was more expensive ($4294) than abdominal ($2753) and vaginal ($2312) hysterectomies, primarily due to higher operating room and surgical supply costs.