Evaluation of post hysterectomy sexual function in two developing countries

Althoughmany patients are reported to feel better after hysterectomy, there are several reports on sexual dysfunction. A large number of papers are published on comparison between routes and techniques, however; there is a paucity of literature to compare the outcome of Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (TAH) between two different countries. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the results of TAH on sexual markers in respondents from Bangladesh (group 1) and Pakistan (group 2). A total of 60 women, thirty (each from the two groups) were evaluated by a questionnaire, which included important markers of sexual function in women. The response to question on erectile dysfunction and/or premature ejaculation in men of the respondents in both the groups showed lack of any positive influence, which removed any bias due to this defect. The others were the markers on obstacles (vaginal bulge, negative emotional feelings) in sexual activity. A certain proportion of respondents in both the groups tend to avoid sex due to these markers. The overall results suggest that the urge to sex is not affected in both the groups, while in some, the desire might be related to intake of hormones (group 2), while in group 1, three showed no desire to sex at all. Dyspareunia, intensity of orgasms and frequency of intercourse were affected in both the groups. Difficulty to reach orgasm was felt by about 1/3 respondents. Taken together, theresultsof this study suggest an obvious impact of hysterectomy, which is not significantly gruesome. The intergroup differences were statistically insignificant. Our results indicate oneness in the findings of global literature on hysterectomy-related sexual dysfunction.