ABSTRACT
Women with symptoms of vaginitis, but no microbial etiology for their condition (the experimental group) were compared to women with symptoms and abnormal findings on examination, women with no symptoms and abnormal findings on examination, and women with no symptoms and normal findings on examination. Comparison was on a variety of measures of personality, marital satisfaction, and sexual function. All women were found to have normal personality structure as measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). However, the experimental group differed from the others in their objective sexual function, subjective level of enjoyment, and the extent to which they were affected by their vaginal symptoms.
Subject(s)
Sexual Behavior , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/complications , Vaginitis/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Attitude , Female , Guilt , Humans , Life Change Events , MMPI , Male , Psychological TestsSubject(s)
Adaptation, Physiological , Adaptation, Psychological , Menopause , Attitude , Depression/epidemiology , Estrogens/adverse effects , Estrogens/therapeutic use , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Sweating/drug effects , United States , Uterine Neoplasms/chemically inducedABSTRACT
A common pattern of women who were sexually molested as children and seek treatment for sexual dysfunction is described. The arousal, rather than the orgasmic, component is involved. The reasons for the evolution of this particular dysfunction are discussed. Treatment should extend the period of sensate focus and address the issues of the woman's anger, her need for control, and her guilt. Excellent results can be achieved in helping the patient to experience physical intimacy and the pleasure of sexual arousal.
Subject(s)
Child Abuse , Paraphilic Disorders , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/etiology , Adult , Anger , Exhibitionism , Female , Guilt , Humans , Libido , Male , Methods , Orgasm , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/therapyABSTRACT
The psychosocial functioning of 23 women treated both surgically and nonsurgically for vaginal agenesis was assessed by means of a retrospective questionnaire. Subjects were also physically examined to evaluate anatomic outcome. It was concluded that the patients psychological adjustment before treatment and the sensitivity of her family and medical advisors during treatment took precedence over anatomic results in the eventual resolution of this disorder. Sexual function, emotional stability, self-image, and choice of marital partner in these women are described in some detail and are, in general, far healthier than had been depicted in earlier psychological reports.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Social Adjustment , Vagina/abnormalities , Adolescent , Adult , Attitude , Counseling , Dilatation , Family , Female , Humans , Intelligence , Marriage , Methods , Self Concept , Sexual Behavior , Vagina/surgeryABSTRACT
In a recent pilot project, the number of women treated by private physicians for sexual assault was surveyed, and information was obtained regarding the physicin's knowledge of, and attitudes toward, issues related to sexual assault. The high incidence rates for treatment of rape by private physicians that have been speculated in the literature were not confirmed by the survey results. Sixty-seven percent of the 458 physicians responding to the survey reported seeing no rape victims during the study year. Since, however, the proportion of physicians seeing rape victims may show regional variations, this result should not be applied too generally. Ten factual questions about rape were sent to more than 1,000 physicians and given to 258 undergraduate psychology students of both sexes. Both the responding physicians and the students answered approximately 60 percent of the questions correctly (that is, selected the answers that best reflect current understanding about sexual assault). The respondents' attitudes toward sexual assault were inferred from the direction of their responses. Physicians were seen to share attitudes similar to those of the male students, but not of the female students. The female students tended to overestimate the incidence of rape, the physical trauma associated with it, and the timing of its psychological after effects.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Physicians , Rape , Attitude , Female , Humans , Male , Medicine , Private Practice , Sex Factors , Specialization , Students , Universities , WashingtonABSTRACT
The psychologic difficulties associated with treatment of infertility can be minimized by limiting the length of treatment and refraining from suggesting a psychologic cause unless a specific one can be adduced. If treatment is unsuccessful, referral for supportive therapy may be indicated.
Subject(s)
Infertility, Female/therapy , Emotions , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Psychology , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Thirty-one patients diagnosed as having congenital adrenal hyperplasia were given standardized IQ tests. Patients' IQ was found not to be significantly higher than the IQ of nonaffected siblings or the expected IQ from parental values. Thus the adrenogenital syndrome appears to confer no IQ advantage independent of family IQ level.
Subject(s)
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital/genetics , Intelligence Tests , Adolescent , Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital/drug therapy , Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital/surgery , Adult , Age Factors , Child , Child, Preschool , Cortisone/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Male , Sex Factors , Wechsler ScalesABSTRACT
A sample of 31 patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia was matched to a control group by sex, age, height, full-scale IQ score, and urban/rural site of residence. Patients and matched controls were tested on measures of masculinity and femininity and on sex-typed tests of cognitive ability. The two groups did not differ significantly on these measures. The finding is in disagreement with earlier reports of "masculinization" of behavior in female patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
