HYSTERECTOMY CAUSES DEPRESSION

There is no question that some women are depressed after hysterectomy. Many women are also depressed before hysterectomy. The real question is "does hysterectomy cause depression?" 

Says Anita Sood "Personally, if I knew that I was going to have horrible pain every month, or bleeding keeping me from doing what I want to do, I would be pretty depressed about it. Treatment of the problem would be expected to help the depression.  What about depression from the surgery?  Certainly some depression after any surgery is not uncommon, especially if the recovery limits activities.  But I have found, as is supported by scientific studies, that depression before surgery is the best predictor of depression afterwards. 

The results in a study done in the US are interesting. After hysterectomy 7% of woman experienced "lack of interest in sex". Of those treated without hysterectomy 6% of women had the same complaint.   This is not a significant difference. "Lack of enjoyment of sex" was reported in 1% of women having hysterectomy and in no women without hysterectomy.

WHAT WOMEN FEEL AFTER HYSTERECTOMY

Most women say that there is no change in the way they feel orgasm, and they are able to enjoy sex more since they don't have their original problem to interfere with sex.  Many others report no change.  Some women say orgasm is better and more intense after their hysterectomy. A small number of women say they have less interest in sex, but rarely do they consider this a problem. It is also said that orgasm is different than before.  Not "bad," just different.  And some women who had sexual dysfunctions before hysterectomy, will still have sexual dysfunctions after hysterectomy.

At times however, the resolution of a problem that interfered with a woman's health and was a major focus in her life often improves emotional well-being.