Gynecologic pelvic surgery for benign conditions and its post-operative effect on womens' sexuality

Hysterectomy for benign conditions, whether total or subtotal, with or without oophorectomy, and by abdominal or vaginal approach, is a common procedure in gynecologic surgery. Early concerns about a negative impact on post-operative sexuality following hysterectomy can no longer be maintained. Currently, sufficient data is available to indicate that hysterectomy does not adversely affect post-operative female sexuality and may even improve it. The addition of testosterone to post-operative hormonal treatment may further improve sexual response in women, although this approach is still controversial. There is only scarce information accessible related to the impact of surgery for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence on the sexual response in women. The limited data available on the post-operative effect on womens' sexuality of new surgical techniques such as laparoscopic hysterectomy, hysteroscopy or ablation, show improvement even in comparison with traditional surgical methods.