Citation

Leeners B, Stiller R, Block E, Görres G, Imthurn B, Rath W. Psychosomatics 2007; 48(5): 385-393.

Affiliation

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Clinic for Endocrinology, Frauenklinikstr. 10, CH 8091 Zürich, Switzerland. Brigitte.Leeners@usz.ch

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1176/appi.psy.48.5.385

PMID

17878496

Abstract

The study sought to evaluate whether childhood sexual abuse (CSA) experiences significantly affect the gynecologic care received as an adult. A self-administered questionnaire including eight questions on CSA was completed by 85 women exposed to CSA and 170 matched-control women. Women exposed to CSA experienced gynecologic examinations as anxiety-provoking significantly more often and sought more treatment for acute gynecologic problems; 43.5% of these women experienced memories of the original abuse situation during gynecologic consultations. Gynecologic care is particularly distressing for women exposed to CSA.

Language: en