Prevention of psychiatric disturbances following gynaecologic operations.

The emotional complications following gynaecologic operations are investigated in an effort to search for their causes and find ways of prevention. A study of the authors in women after hysterectomy compared to a control group showed a great percentage of reactive depression, 6-12 months following the operation. Based on the findings concerning family attitudes, sexual misconceptions and body image changes, certain preventive measures are proposed: pre-operatively, proper psychological approach of the woman, investigation of the special individual and family attitudes and problems, provision of accurate information about the nature of the operation, and post-operatively adequate psychotherapeutic support.