Randomised trial, 2000
How common is sexual abuse history in women seeking treatment for severe PMS?
Very common. Of 42 interviewed women, 95% reported at least one sexual abuse event, and 81% reported completed penetration against their will. Most also had undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder.
What they did
Cross-sectional study interviewing 42 of 77 women in a randomized trial for PMS treatment about their sexual abuse history and past trauma.
What they found
95% of interviewed women reported at least one attempted or completed sexual abuse event. 81% reported completed penetration against their will, and 85% of abused women sustained physical threat or harm. 65% were estimated to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 83% had never disclosed the abuse to a health practitioner.
What it means for you
Many women with severe PMS have experienced childhood or adolescent sexual abuse and may have undiagnosed PTSD that doctors don't know about. These rates are higher than in general populations. The study is small with only 42 women interviewed.
95%
reported at least one abuse event
81%
reported completed penetration against will
65%
estimated to have PTSD
About the study
- Original title
- Prevalence of sexual abuse history in a sample of women seeking treatment for premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Golding JM, Taylor DL, Menard L et al.
- Journal
- Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology
- Year
- 2000
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 77
- What was tested
- Sexual abuse history assessment and trauma screening
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/01674820009075612
Topics
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