Psychosexual sequelae of gynaecological conditions

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Abstract
This article presents selected findings of a study investigating the effects of gynaecological conditions and hysterectomy on the emotional health and sexuality of 656 Western Australian women. The women were assigned to one of the following three groups: women affected by gynaecological conditions; women who had undergone a hysterectomy; and women who had experienced neither and considered themselves to be in good health. The responses of women affected by gynaecological conditions suggested that these conditions were contributing to emotional impairment and sexual dysfunction in terms of loss of sexual interest, pain on intercourse and sexual avoidance. Some of these sequelae were confirmed by statistical analysis. The responses showed a significant loss of satisfaction with coitus since the onset of gynaecological problems, compared with their previous health state. By contrast, the hysterectomy group showed a statistically significant increase in satisfaction with coital activity. The gynaecological group also showed a significantly higher emotional impairment (depression) than the other two groups. There were no significant differences across the three groups in the ability to reach orgasm nor in frequency of sexual activities. The reported activity of the gynaecological conditions group was actually slightly higher than the average. This apparent inconsistency between perception and practice warrants further research.

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