Studies: sexual function not hurt by hysterectomy: improvements reported: outcomes evaluated at up to 6 months.

LA JOLLA, CALIF. -- Sexual function does hot diminish and may even improve after hysterectomy, according to two new studies.

In the first study, 70% of 70 women said they had no net change or an increased desire for sex at an average follow-up of 170 days after hysterectomy, compared with baseline levels.

In the second study, overall sexual satisfaction increased significantly in 352 women evaluated 6 months postoperatively.

Both reports showed that sexual outcomes did not differ by hysterectomy approach.

All participants in the first study underwent hysterectomy at the same hospital and were interviewed immediately before and an average of 170 days after the procedure, Dr. Katherine Dragisic said in a poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Fibroids, bleeding or menstrual problems, and pelvic pain were the most common indications for the surgery, and many women had multiple indications, said Dr. Dragisic and associates of Northwestern University, Chicago.

The percentage of women reporting pain during intercourse decreased significantly from baseline levels, dropping from 40% to 7%. There were no significant changes in the percentage of patients who were sexually active before and after hysterectomy, and there were no changes in the strength or frequency of orgasm in 65% and 60% of the women, respectively.