Perspective of Women about Her Body after Hysterectomy

Abstract

Hysterectomy is the most common major gynecological operation in worldwide and Arabic countries. However, the psychological, physical and sexual consequences of hysterectomy are conflicting and the findings are mixed. While, some studies report that patients have experience greater improvement in their mental health, sexual desire and overall satisfaction. Others show that patients report various negative outcomes, with detrimental effects on sexual functioning being the main concern. My previous study demonstrated that hysterectomy had significantly negative effects on patients' body image, self-esteem, and identified common meanings and themes associated with hysterectomy stressors, which includes difficulties or limitations in physical and psychological aspects perceived by patients after hysterectomy. In this chapter, author will expand that discuss in details the different factors that influence the perspective of women about body after hysterectomy. Mainly, author will focus on religious, cultural, and psycho-social aspects. All of these factors are interacting with health status of women and effect the situation and productivity of women in her family and culture. Different strategy need to be adopted in order to overcome this problem using evidence and analysis of our Arabic culture and structure. Recommendation of study to health care profession as physician, nurses, midwives and other health care provider to be aware of these potential problematic issues in order to provide a competent health care for women based of her needs.