Comparison of the clitoral artery Doppler indices before and after hysterectomy

Objective

We aimed to evaluate clitoral artery Doppler indices of women who underwent hysterectomy for benign lesions of uterus and to compare the alterations with female sexual function index (FSFI)

Methods

Twenty women enrolled in this study. Inclusion criteria were pre-menopausal women with benign uterine lesions. Clitoral artery Doppler ultrasonography evaluation was performed by 13.5 Mhz linear probe. The examinations were done in the lithotomy position without exerting any pressure on the genital tissue. Pulsatility (PI), resistive (SI) indices and systole/diastole ratio (S/D) were calculated and FSFI scores were assessed before and 6 months after surgery.

Results

The mean age of women was 45.2± 31. PI, RI and S/D indices were calculated as 1.25±0.41, 0.65±0.10, 3.31±1.53 before surgery and 1.01±0.41, 0.59±0.10, 2.69±1.01 after surgery, respectively. There were statistically significant difference between pre and post-surgery evaluation of Doppler indices (p<0.001 for PI, RI and S/D). FSFI scores were 28.3±5.4 prior hysterectomy and 20.5±8.6 six months after surgery and FSFI score was significantly decreased after surgery (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Our results show that clitoral artery blood flow changes after hysterectomy and these changes are significantly affected female sexual functions.

Keywords

Clitoral artery Doppler, sexual function, hysterectomy