THE CIRCUMCISION REFERENCE LIBRARY
Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, Vol 11, pp.
221-228 (1993).
Post-traumatic stress disorder in women who have
undergone
obstetric and/or gynecological procedures
A consecutive series of 30 cases of PTSD
Janet Menage, MBCHB, Dip Counselling
Stretton on Dunsmore, Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 9HF,
UK
Abstract: 500 women volunteers took part in a
study about the psychological stress associated with
obstetric and gynecological procedures. The sample was
recruited by advertisements in local and national newspapers
and in women's magazines and newsletters. Women completed a
preliminary questionnaire on their experiences of obstetric
and gynecological procedures, their biographical data, and
their feelings associated with the procedures both at the
time and now. Out of the 500 subjects, over 100 women gave an
history of an obstetric and/or gynaecological which was 'very
distressing' or 'terrifying', which was 'out of the ordinary'
and which occurred 'more than one month previously'. These
women were sent follow-up PTSD-I questionnaires and 30 of
them fulfilled the DSM-III-R
criteria for a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). Significant differences between the 30 women with
PTSD, and 30 respondents who rated their experiences from
'very good' to 'slightly distressing', were found on a range
of findings, including feelings of powerlessness during the
procedures, lack of information given to the patient, the
experience of physical pain, a perceived unsympathetic
attitude on the part of the examiner, and a lack of
clearly-understood consent by the patient for the procedure.
The results are discussed in relation to the literature on
women's emotional reactions to the childbirth process and
also to sexual violence and other causes of PTSD. The present
findings suggest a cause of PTSD not previously described and
challenge current medical working practices in the area of
obstetrics and gynaecology.
Citation:
- Menage J. Post-traumatic stress disorder in women who
have undergone obstetric and/or gynaecological procedures.
J Reprod Infant Psychol 1993; 11:221-8.
(File revised 11 August 2011)
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