To compare the effect of abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy on female sexuality.

Perimenopausal, sexually active, aged 45–50 years women who underwent abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy due to benign indications were included in this retrospective study. For the assessment of preoperative and postoperative female sexual function, Turkish validated Female Sexual Function Index form was used.

Of the study population, 82 women (Group A) underwent hysterectomy + bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and 78 women (Group B) underwent hysterectomy-only operations. The groups were statistically similar in terms of mean age, number of gravida and parity, body mass index, duration of postoperative evaluation, type of hysterectomy and presence of preoperative female sexual dysfunction. Both in Group A and B, postoperative total Female Sexual Function Index scores increased significantly compared to preoperative total scores. And there were no differences between the groups regarding the total preoperative and postoperative Female Sexual Function Index scores. However, postoperative arousal and orgasm scores were higher while pain score was lower in Group B than in Group A.

Abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for benign causes positively affect female sexuality in general. But, premenopausal bilateral oophorectomy may cause more pain during intercourse, decreased libido and orgasm than ovary conservation.