Objective: To determine the relationship between menstruation disorders and prior sexual abuse.
Design: Questionnaire investigation.
Method: A questionnaire was developed consisting of 50 questions about menstruation disorders, premenstrual syndrome and sexual abuse. The questionnaire was mailed to all female patients aged 12-54 years (n = 1805) of one family practice in Den Helder, the Netherlands.
Results: The response rate to the questionnaire was 69% (n = 1254). After excluding women who were postmenopausal, pregnant, without a uterus, or who did not answer the questions on sexual abuse, 947 remained. Of these women, 83 (8.7%) reported having experienced sexual abuse. These women had significantly more dysmenorrhoea, more dysfunctional menstrual bleeding and significantly more menstrual cycle irregularities.
Conclusion: A statistically significant association was found between menstrual problems and prior sexual abuse. Sexual abuse should be considered in the differential diagnosis and treatment of women who seek medical help for inexplicable menstrual disorders.