Quality of Life, Pain, and Psychological Well-Being in Women Suffering from Gynecological Disorders

Abstract

Most gynecological disorders are not life threatening. They may nevertheless severely affect women's lives. This study was conducted to investigate quality of life (QOL), pain, and psychological well-being in women suffering from such disorders compared with a control group. Women with benign gynecological disorders who are awaiting hysterectomy have a lower score in the health and functioning domain of QOL compared with the control group. More than three of four patients experience pain, mostly pelvic pain. Pain has a clear negative influence on women's QOL, pelvic pain to a greater degree than other types of pain. The patients report the same degree of psychological well-being as the control group. Benign gynecological disorders have a clear negative impact on women's health and functioning, and pain is a major problem for these patients. The more pain, the lower QOL. Their psychological well-being, however, does not seem to be affected.