Abstract

" Background: The effects of hysterectomy on sexuality has been extensively studied. Aim: To establish a model to predict the quality of sexual life in hysterectomized women, six months after surgery. Material and Methods: Analytical, longitudinal and prospective study of 90 hysterectomized women aged 45±7 years. Two structured interviews at the time of surgery and six months later were carried out to determine the characteristics of sexuality and communication within the couple. Results: In the two interviews, communication and the quality of sexual life were described as ""good"" in 72 and 77% of women, respectively (NS). The variables that had a 40% influence on the quality of sexual life sixth months after surgery, were oophorectomy status, the presence of orgasm, the characteristics of communication and the basal sexuality with the couple. Conclusions: The sexuality of the hysterectomized women will depend, on a great extent, of pre-surgical variables. Therefore, it is important to consider these variables for the education of hysterectomized women. "