Domestic violence and gynecological morbidity symptoms among women in north India.

There is substantial evidence from developed countries documenting a relationship between domestic violence and gynecological morbidity. The range of gynecological morbidities experienced by women include sexually transmitted infections vaginal bleeding and infection fibroids genital irritation chronic pelvic pain decreased sexual desire pain during intercourse and urinary tract infections. Koss et al (1991) report evidence of a dose-response relationship between the severity of domestic violence and the risk of gynecological morbidity; while other researchers note that the combination of physical and sexual abuse puts women at a greater risk of gynecological morbidity than women who experience only physical violence. (excerpt)