Psycho-social problems of women who had undergone hysterectomy

and found no evidence of hormone disturbance after operation and no decrease insexual activity and satisfaction.Richards described a post hysterectomy syndrome in which symptoms includedepressed mood, hot flushes, urinary problems, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, andinsomnia.References to classes and support programs for hysterectomy patients were scarce.Hamilton and Kelly described an educational program with classes taught by staffnurses during the patient’s hospitalization. Keith reported the positive outcomes ofa post hysterectomy discussion group led by a nurse and a social worker, but Kiethalso concluded that a presurgery group meeting was needed to alleviate some ofthe women’s anxieties and misconceptions. Philips compared the responses ofwomen who received one-to-one presurgical instruction by the physician with theresponses of those who attended a presurgical class taught by a registered nurse.He concluded that the women who had not had the class experience had moreunanswered questions and hypothesized that “group discussions with womenfacing the same surgery may further reduce anxiety to the level where learning canbe more effective.”According to Christine Webb, a counseling approach is adopted and the contentswere planned in 4 sessions. A friendly approach should be adopted, with a smile,some eye contact, a display of sympathetic interest, careful listening, adopting theclient’s terminology and conventions and generally meeting her on her ownground (Bridge & MacLeod)Session I: Explanation of the operation: showing a simple diagram: explanationthat the uterus and cervix have been removed, but tat the ovaries were left andtherefore the ‘change of life’ will not begin. The only effect will be the end of‘periods’ and no longer being able to have children. Feelings of femininity or‘being a woman’ will not change, nor will feelings and sensations in relation tosexual intercourse.