Risk factors for hysterectomy patients—A pilot study

Abstract

In the University Hospital of Groningen a pilot study was performed for a research project on psychic reactions to hysterectomy. The aim was to assess the psychological condition of patients shortly before and immediately after the operation. In combination with information gleaned from the literature and from clinical experience, the results were meant to serve for drawing up a pre-post treatment research programme. The pilot study indicated that many factors described as effects of hysterectomy were already present prior to the operation, in particular sexual problems and complaints of a psychoneurotic or depressive nature.