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Self-image and sexual marital function of post-hysterectomy women. Perspective of patients and their husbands

Agnieszka Pietrzyk

Affiliacja i adres do korespondencji
GIN ONKOL 2006, 4 (3), p. 160-176
Streszczenie

Aim of the present study is to assess the impact of hysterectomy on marital psychosexual function of women, as seen by themselves and their husbands. Assessment concerns the level of self-esteem and self-image and own sexual impressions and quality of marital sex. Material and method: Fifty marital pairs (100 persons) were assessed using the questionnaire Marital Sexual Problems” including two subscales Sexual Impressions and Quality of Sex and Self-esteem Form. The women finished basic antineoplastic treatment 6 months prior to inclusion in the psychological study. None of the spouses sought psychological or sexological assistance before. Results: Hysterectomy significantly lowered own impressions, libido level, satisfaction derived from sexual intercourse, frequency of orgasm in women treated for cancer. However, in the opinion of their partners, neither sexual response nor quality of sexual life have changed. Both groups differ significantly in the assessment of “real ego” of women, while the assessment of “ideal ego” is identical in both groups. In women, self-esteem decreased significantly after hysterectomy, but their husbands have not noticed any change. Women evaluated worst their physical features and social position, at best – their intellectual virtues and interpersonal relations. Husbands did not notice any difference in physical, intellectual and interpersonal attractiveness, but emphasized lower assessment of their emotional and social status. Conclusions: Divergence of assessment of marital sexual life, problems with self-esteem and self-image performed by women being treated for genital cancer and their husbands indicate areas of threats for marital function. Causes for these threats reside in the lack of good, open communication between partners. Thereof results incomplete knowledge of alterations in feelings, thoughts and behaviour of women induced by treatment of uterine cancer.

Słowa kluczowe
women, self-image, sexual marital functioning, hysterectomy