Patient Perceptions Regarding Effect of

Gynecological Surgery on Sexuality

1. Jonathan Schaffir MD1,*,
2. Mary Fleming BS2,
3. Valerie Waddell MD1

Article first published online: 13 NOV 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01572.x

© 2009 International Society for Sexual Medicine

Issue

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

Volume 7, Issue 2pt1, pages 826–831, February 2010

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How to Cite

Schaffir, J., Fleming, M. and Waddell, V. (2010), Patient Perceptions Regarding Effect of
Gynecological Surgery on Sexuality. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7: 826–831.
doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01572.x

Author Information
1. 1

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University College of

Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA;
2. 2

The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA

*Correspondence: Jonathan Schaffir MD,

*Correspondence: Jonathan Schaffir, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State
University College of Medicine, 2831 Cramblett Hall, 456 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH
43210, USA. Tel: +614-293-9899; Fax: +614-293-9684; E-mail: schaffir.1@osu.edu

Publication History

1. Issue published online: 28 JAN 2010

2. Article first published online: 13 NOV 2009

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Keywords:

• Gynecological Surgery;
• Preoperative Counseling;
• Sexual Function;
• Patient Perceptions;
• Sexuality Outcome

ABSTRACT

 Introduction. Women undergoing surgery for benign gynecological conditions often voice
concerns about how surgery will affect their sexuality. It is unclear what percentage of women
shares these concerns, and how well they are addressed.

 Aims. To identify what concerns women have about sexuality when they have gynecological
surgery, and what factors affect these concerns.

 Methods. Survey of women scheduled to undergo hysterectomy, oophorectomy, or any

sterilization procedure at an academic medical center. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were
used to analyze the data.
 Main Outcome Measure. A questionnaire was devised containing 10 statements regarding
how surgery can affect sexuality and how concerns are addressed. Patients were asked to rate
their agreement with each on a 5-point Likert scale.

 Results. Patients undergoing oophorectomies were significantly more likely to agree that they
would have less sexual desire (P = 0.01) and that they would be less able to enjoy sex
(P = 0.002) than women undergoing hysterectomy or sterilization alone. Patients with a private
physician were more likely to agree that their physician counseled them about sexual effects than
patients of the resident clinic (P = 0.004).

 Conclusions. Women undergoing oophorectomy are more likely to have concerns regarding
sexuality that need to be addressed by gynecological surgeons. These concerns are less
frequently addressed by resident physicians, who need to be instructed to counsel their patients
about sexuality. Schaffir J, Fleming M, and Waddell V. Patient perceptions regarding effect
of gynecological surgery on sexuality. J Sex Med 2010;7:826–831.

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