Sexual experience of partners after hysterectomy, comparing subtotal with total abdominal hysterectomy.

Background: There is a lack of knowledge about partners' sexual experience after hysterectomy. The aim of this study was to explore potential differences in the experience of sexual intercourse by the partner, related to the operation method (subtotal versus total abdominal hysterectomy).

Method: Of all patients having undergone abdominal hysterectomy for benign indications at St Olav Hospital, Trondheim between February 2001 and March 2003, Norway, 120 patients (60 total, 60 subtotal abdominal hysterectomy) were identified. Each patient and partner received a postal questionnaire addressing sexuality in connection with the operation.

Results: Of the 240 questionnaires, 111 were returned, a response rate of 46%. Among partners of women having undergone total hysterectomy, proportionally more noticed during sexual intercourse that the uterus had been removed (12%) compared to partners of women having undergone subtotal hysterectomy (4%); this was not significant and all of these partners experienced this as positive. Sexual satisfaction was improved or unchanged in most women and their partners, regardless of operation type. Partners who reported poor satisfaction before the operation were significantly more likely to report poor satisfaction after the operation. A high proportion of partners in both hysterectomy groups had not discussed sexuality in relation to the surgery either before or after the operation (subtotal: 44%; total: 24%; not significant).

Conclusion: The majority of women and their partners reported no negative impact on sexual satisfaction after abdominal hysterectomy, regardless if subtotal or total. The only predictor of negative sexual experience of partners after hysterectomy was negative sexual experience before hysterectomy.