The Relationship between Hysterectomy and Depression: Avicenna’s Viewpoint

Hysterectomy is the most common surgical procedure in non-pregnant women and the second common procedure, occurring post-cesarean section [1]. It is an effective solution for benign and malignant gynecological pathologies cause abnormal uterine bleeding like endometriosis, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, uterine polyps, and leiomyosarcoma [1]. In the United States, 600,000 women undergo hysterectomy every year [1], in which 75% of them are at the ages of 20-49 years old [2]. The usual complications of hysterectomy are physical and mental, including vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, changes in sexual activity such as decreased libido and also depression [3]. The World Health Organization (WHO), considers depression as one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases in the world, with the highest rates of ages between 25 to 44 years old [4]. The overall risk of sustained and chronic depression is more common in women [4]. On the other hand, recent studies in Modern medicine, have shown strong evidences of post-hysterectomy depression [5].