Body image disturbance and self-esteem after hysterectomy in Egyptian women

Abstract EN

Introduction: Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus.

Women undergoing hysterectomy are worried about possible side effects of the surgery on their sexuality.

The aim of this study was to assess the association between body image disturbance and hysterectomy.

Method: Using a cross-sectional comparative designacross one-year, all cases (n=498) and control group (n=702) were examined using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale and Body Image Scale.

Results: Body image disturbance was higher in cases than controls with statistically significant difference.

Self-esteem was higher among controls than women with hysterectomy.

Body image disturbance was higher in obstetric than gynecological cases.

In addition, self-esteem was higher among gynecological cases than women with hysterectomy due to obstetric causes.

Women below 50 years old showed higher body image disturbance and lower self-esteem than women above 50 years old.

Age directly correlated with self-esteem and inversely with body image disturbance.

Conclusion: In the Arab culture, hysterectomy can have an adverse impact on women’s body image and self-esteem, especiallyfor thoseof young age.

More needs to be done to support them and to educate society about the impact on a woman’s mental wellbeing.