IMR Press / CEOG / Volume 49 / Issue 7 / DOI: 10.31083/j.ceog4907145
Open Access Original Research
Impact of Violence against Women on Sexual and Reproductive Health: Research Protocol and Results from a Pilot Study
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1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Granada, 18004 Granada, Spain
2 Jaen-South Health District, 23009 Jaen, Spain
*Correspondence: nicomendoza@telefonica.net (Nicolas Mendoza)
Academic Editor: Michael H. Dahan
Clin. Exp. Obstet. Gynecol. 2022, 49(7), 145; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.ceog4907145
Submitted: 25 April 2022 | Revised: 24 May 2022 | Accepted: 27 May 2022 | Published: 29 June 2022
Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Objectives: Violence against women (VAW) is associated with a deterioration of endocrine function with consequences similar to those of premature ovarian failure in women. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the hormonal repercussions of VAW and, secondly, to analyse the cardio-metabolic, bone, cognitive, psychological, and psychosexual consequences of hypoestrogenism secondary to VAW. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study will be conducted on women of any age who have suffered VAW at some point in their lifespan, whether psychological, sexual, or physical. Clinical, hormonal, cardio-metabolic, bone, psychological, and psychosexual parameters will be analysed. Results: The pilot study from the first 23 women show that all of them are suffering from severe sexual dysfunction. In addition, all women reported menstrual irregularity and hypoestrogenism (including two cases of premature ovarian failure) since the VAW episode. Conclusions: VAW is a pandemic that affects all women equally, regardless of their age, status, social background, or education. Despite the claims made by certain groups, VAW does not depend on women, but rather it affects women and is clearly harmful to their sexual, reproductive, and general health.

Keywords
violence against women
sexual assault
intimate violence
abuse
mistreatment
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