ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To evaluate changes in psychological well-being and sexuality 1 year after laparoscopic and abdominal hysterectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-four women scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy due to benign disorders and assessed as not suitable for vaginal hysterectomy were randomized to abdominal hysterectomy (n = 38) or laparoscopic hysterectomy (n = 36). The Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) Index was used to evaluate changes in psychological well-being and the McCoy scale was used to evaluate changes in sexuality. The differences in outcome before and 1 year after the hysterectomy were calculated for each individual and the changes were compared within and between the two patient groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two patient groups with respect to changes in psychological well-being and sexuality 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This study implies that psychological well-being and sexuality after hysterectomy are not influenced by surgical technique.