Quality of Life After Hysterectomy (AdenoQOL)

Quality of Life After Hysterectomy for Adenomyosis and Other Benign Gynecological Conditions

Adenomyosis is a disease where ectopic endometrial-like glands affect the muscular wall of the uterus. About 70% of women affected by adenomyosis suffer from dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia. A levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) is the first-choice treatment of adenomyosis, but is not always sufficiently effective in all women. Those women often end up removing the uterus (hysterectomy).

Hysterectomy is clinically regarded to be an efficient and final treatment of adenomyosis, but pelvic pain may also prevail after removal of the uterus. This study aimes to investigate the short - and long-term impact of hysterectomy on quality of life (QOL) and sexual function in women with adenomyosis, and further to evaluate if there is any difference compared to women that are removing their uterus due to other benign gynecological conditions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Premenopausal status defined by having had menstruation within the last 12 months, or age < 50 years if amenorrhea due to hormonal treatment
• Hysterectomy planned due to a benign condition
• Able to communicate in Norwegian or English
• Electronic consent given

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 18 years, postmenopausal status or no menstrual bleeding for the last 12 months
• Hysterectomy as part of female-to-male transition
• Pelvic organ prolapse as an indication for hysterectomy
• Gynecological cancer suspected at the time of inclusion
• Not able to communicate in Norwegian or English