GENERAL GYNECOLOGY Sexuality after hysterectomy at University of Jordan Hospital: a teaching hospital experience Kamil Mosa Fram • Shawqi S. Saleh • Issa A. Sumrein Received: 9 June 2012 / Accepted: 9 October 2012 / Published online: 7 November 2012 Ó Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012 Abstract Purpose This research concentrates on evaluating the sexual activity of the patients after having hysterectomy for benign disorders. Setting This analysis took place at the University of Jordan hospital. Material and methods The retrospective record was reviewed for over 2 years (from January 2008 to January 2010). The sample of study included a total number of 124 patients with benign disorders who underwent hysterec- tomy. The sexual life parameters indicate that 93 patients (75 %) felt general improvement in their performance, while 14 patients (11.3 %) complained of having suffered bad performance, 6 patients (4.8 %) noticed no changes, and 11 patients (8.9 %) did not provide any comment. As for the partner’s sexual function (as relayed by the patients themselves), 69 patients (55.6 %) felt improvements in their performance and 23 (18.5 %) commented that their partners had bad performance, while 18 patients (14.5 %) noticed no changes and 14 (11.3 %) did not provide any comment. Patients were interviewed by the operating physician each of whom was subjected to an average of half an hour verbal interview after obtaining the prior written consent of the patient. Questionnaire forms were used to record the answers given by each patient. The interview data recorded in the questionnaires were analyzed. Conclusion The result of these analyses significantly indi- cated that sexual function is a major cause of women’s con- cern for scheduled hysterectomy. That is because they were influenced by both physiological and psychological factors. Even though the analysis results implied that there was a sizeable minority who evidently suffered a considerably worse outcome, it was recognized that hysterectomy leads to improvement in sexual function and health for the majority of women. Therefore, it is important to spread awareness among women and let them know that most probably they will neither lose their sexual desire after hysterectomy, nor they will lose their feminine shape or style. Keywords Hysterectomy Á Sexual function Á Dysparunia Á Partner’s opinion Introduction Hysterectomy is one of the most common major gyneco- logical operations performed worldwide [1]. It is the second most frequent surgical operation performed on women after cesarean section [2]. By way of an example, it is estimated that by the age of 64 years, more than 40 % of women at least in first world countries, particularly in the United States, will have a hysterectomy [3]. Hysterectomies are usually performed for the following reasons: benign con- ditions primarily excessive uterine bleeding (due to hor- monal imbalance), fibroids, and pain. When women face the decision of whether to have a hysterectomy, they should be provided with information relating to their conditions such as indications for surgery, surgical procedure, recovery, and sequelae by their physicians. However, medical information is not the only factor to be taken into consideration when the decision is made. Social factors also influence women’s decisions concerning their reproductive health-care deci- sions. This includes the woman’s partner’s opinion and her attitude towards hysterectomy. K. M. Fram (&) Á S. S. Saleh Á I. A. Sumrein Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jordan University Hospital, The University of Jordan, PO Box 2318, Amman 11821, Jordan e-mail: kamilfram@gmail.com 123 Arch Gynecol Obstet (2013) 287:703–708 DOI 10.1007/s00404-012-2601-2