Background: Reproductive organs play a crucial role in gender identity, with the uterus symbolically significant in defining womanhood. Hysterectomy, the second most common surgery performed on women after cesarean section, removes the uterus, impacting sexual function. This study aimed to assess sexual function scores before and 4 months post-hysterectomy and identify associated factors.

Methodology: A longitudinal study was conducted at the gynecology ward of the Government Tertiary Care Hospital in Salem District, Tamilnadu, India. Participants were selected using convenient sampling. Data included demographic profiles and the Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ-38). Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB), and informed consent was secured from all participants. Statistical analysis using SPSS software revealed that a majority of the 184 subjects experienced female sexual dysfunction 4 months post-hysterectomy compared to pre-surgery, across domains such as desire, arousal (sensation, lubrication, cognition), orgasm, pain, and enjoyment. Significant decreases in mean scores were noted postoperatively in all domains, as confirmed by paired t-tests. Furthermore, a statistically significant association (p<0.05) was observed between sexual function domains and participant age groups.

Conclusion: The study underscores the need for targeted interventions to address female sexual dysfunction following hysterectomy, crucial for sustaining partner relationships and enhancing long-term quality of life.

Keywords: Total abdominal hysterectomy, Vaginal hysterectomy, Sexual function, Female sexual dysfunction (FSD), Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy (BSO)