Abstract
Background: Violence against women is a pressing global issue that poses a number of significant health risks. The influence of violence on women's health has been underestimated, especially its impact on gynaecological disorders.
Objective: To analyze whether experiencing any type of violence increases the risk of gynaecological disorders.
Method: This cross-sectional observational study recruited 15 premenopausal women who had suffered from violence in their lifetimes. A control group consisted of 33 premenopausal women who attended the same clinic on the same date and who had not experienced violence against women.
Results: Women who had experienced violence reported intra-partner psychological violence (100%), economic violence (26.7%), 40% physical violence (40%), sexual violence (33%). Violence was associated with increased prevalence of amenorrhoea, sexually transmitted infection, reproductive difficulties, sexual dysfunctions, and less use of contraceptive methods. Upon odds ratio calculation a significative higher risk of amenorrhoea (OR 19.9; 95% CI= 4.23-93.9, p <0.001) and sexual dysfunction of any kind (OR 27.5; 95% CI= 5.28-143; p <0.,001) were observed in women who experienced violence. Conclusion: Experiencing any form of violence at any point in a ’woman’s life can have a detrimental impact on her overall health, particularly amenorrhoea and sexual dysfunction. The importance of amenorrhoea is not only because of the lack of menstruation but also because of the long-term repercussions of hypoestrogenism.
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