Are the physiologically and psychosocially based symptoms in women suffering from gynecological disorders alleviated by means of hysterectomy?

Women experiencing gynecological disorders can suffer from a diversity of s ymptoms and problems. To what extent women are relieved of their physiologi cally and psychosocially based symptoms by hysterectomy is an important iss ue. This study aims to evaluate the longterm impact of hysterectomy on such symptoms and to compare the findings with those of a control group. Women with gynecological disorders experienced physiologically based symptoms, su ch as pelvic pain and urinary incontinence, to a greater degree than did th e control group (p < 0.05), whereas bowel function and menopausal symptoms were equally distributed in the two groups. Furthermore, these women experi enced psychosocially based symptoms, such as fatigue and insomnia, to a gre ater degree than the control group (p < 0.05), whereas the groups did not d iffer in psychological well-being or sexual function. After hysterectomy, h owever, pelvic pain and sleeping disturbances were alleviated, and the stat e of energy and urinary function were improved (p < 0.00). Bowel function, menopausal symptoms, psychological well-being, sexual function, and self-pe rception as a woman were not influenced by the operation. Both 6 and 12 mon ths after hysterectomy, no differences between the patients and the control group were found, except for the tendency of patients not to gain weight a fter the operation. The symptoms are mostly improved or unchanged after hys terectomy, and additional problems do not seem to follow the operation.