Sexuality experiences of hysterectomized women

Experiencias de mujeres histerectomizadas acerca de la sexualidad

Abstract

Objective:

To know the sexuality experiences of hysterectomized women.

Method:

Qualitative study carried out in Family Health Strategies with 19 hysterectomized women. A semi-structured interview was conducted, combined with the Creativity and Sensitivity Technique called Speaker Map, after approval by the Ethics Committee from January to February 2018. Data were analyzed according to analysis of the thematic content.

Results:

The participants had different sexuality experiences after the hysterectomy. The procedure was associated with restoration of health, resuming sexual activity, and changes in relationships. It was also related to the onset of dyspareunia and decrease in libido.

Conclusion and implications for practice:

The changes experienced after surgery led women to build new meanings for sexuality and their relationships. The surgery shows concrete results, such as decreased or increased pain in sexual practice, and subjective results, such as the feeling of freedom and the impact on female identity. These results may contribute to direct educational strategies to approach sexuality with each woman who undergoes hysterectomy.

Keywords:
Sexuality; Hysterectomy; Femininity