HP-02-002 Psycho-Emotional Challenges and Fears of Gynaecological Patients Before Planned Hysterectomy

Conclusion about scheduled hysterectomy usually brings women to many questions about postoperative changes in their bodies. Losing the uterus can make women worry about feeling less womanly or losing their sexual attractiveness, they can be influenced by physiological and psychological factors. Objective of this study was to summarize opinions and concerns of women before planned hysterectomy. 54 patients of wide spectrum Gynaecology clinic were recruited to participate. Inclusion criteria were: age 18-50 years, scheduled to undergo planned hysterectomy due to benign indication, voluntary agreed to participate. Inquiry form was used to collect answers. All patients had been thinking about impact of hysterectomy on their future life. 75.93% had worried that hysterectomy can have a negative effect on their future, 59.26% asked other women with hysterectomy experience about changes after operation, 51.85% searched information from Internet sources, 87.04% wanted to receive more information from gynaecologist. 51.85% thought they will feel less feminine without uterus, 59.26% worried that partners will find them less feminine. 31.48% thought that their sexual life will become worse, 27.78% thought it will not change, 22.22% thought it will improve. 14.81% had concerns about ‘cleaning’ of the body without regular bleeding, 20.37% thought they will have earlier and more heavy menopausal symptoms, 29.63% thought they will need to use HRT after operation, 5.56% were not sure if they can discontinue birth control method after hysterectomy.