Psycho-social problems of women who had undergone hysterectomy

miscarriage following tubular pregnancy and the resulting complications called fora hysterectomy. Manju opted for Hormone Replacement Therapy after theoperation. She said that she had no doubts regarding the usefulness of HRT andwas willing to face long-term side effects if any. She was of the opinion that thepositive influence of HRT far outweighed its negative points.After the hysterectomy, Manju went back to work once the rest period advised byher doctor was over. Initially she had some difficulties in terms of backaches andbody pains but these problems disappeared after a period of time. She also had hotflushes, mood swings and mild depression. For nearly a year after thehysterectomy, Manju had difficulty dealing with heavy patient load and nightshifts. However, almost all the negative symptoms she had disappeared withregular HRT.Manju was slender all her life. She did not gain weight even at time of her firstpregnancy and delivery. But after the hysterectomy, Manju had put on muchweight. She has no physical discomfort due to the weight gain. But she does feelbloated and she considers herself overweight and ungainly. The weight gain seemsto disturb her emotionally.Manju’s husband and her family found no significant difference in her pre andpostoperative behaviour. Her husband found no change in temperament, mood orgeneral demeanor. The hysterectomy had not affected their sex life. But the couplefeels a sense of sadness at the thought of not being able to have any more children.Both husband and wife had wanted at least one more child.She did not report any feelings of “loss of femininity” due to the removal of heruterus. Being a doctor she is unsentimental about the whole issue. Neither did sheassociate the hysterectomy with loss of looks, youth or vitality. She found nochange in the texture of her skin or looks in general.