Vaginal injuries after consensual sexual intercourse - a survey among office-based gynecologists in Hamburg, Germany
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Vaginal injuries after consensual sexual intercourse - a survey among office-based gynecologists in Hamburg, Germany. / Lohner, Larissa; Nigbur, Louisa; Klasen, Caroline; Witzel, Isabell; Garland, Jack; Ondruschka, Benjamin; Anders, Sven.
In: FORENSIC SCI MED PAT, Vol. 18, No. 3, 09.2022, p. 352-358.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Vaginal injuries after consensual sexual intercourse - a survey among office-based gynecologists in Hamburg, Germany
AU - Lohner, Larissa
AU - Nigbur, Louisa
AU - Klasen, Caroline
AU - Witzel, Isabell
AU - Garland, Jack
AU - Ondruschka, Benjamin
AU - Anders, Sven
N1 - © 2022. The Author(s).
PY - 2022/9
Y1 - 2022/9
N2 - Studies on the occurrence of injuries following consensual sexual intercourse (CSI) among patients treated by office-based gynecologists are lacking. This survey aimed to assess the presence and medical relevance of vaginal injuries after CSI in gynecological office-based practice, associated risk factors, and their significance for forensic medical assessment practice. All office-based gynecologists in Hamburg, Germany (n = 316), were asked to fill in a one-page questionnaire via a fax survey. The questionnaire covered various aspects such as having observed CSI-related injuries, injury severity, risk factors, and concomitant factors (bleeding, need for surgical care, hospitalization). Response rate was 43.2% (n = 115). Overall, 83.5% of office-based gynecologists reported having observed vaginal injuries after CSI at least once and 59.1% repeatedly. Regarding maximum injury severity, 52.1% observed mucosal erosions, 32.3% mucosa penetrating injuries, and 14.6% injuries penetrating the vagina. Having observed bleeding was reported by 56.3%, 28.1% had to perform surgical suture care, and hospital admission was initiated by 20.8%. Menopause (37.5%), use of objects (19.8%), alcohol, and/or drug use (16.7%) were reported as the most frequently observed associated risk factors. Vaginal injuries after CSI have been observed by the majority of office-based gynecologists in Hamburg involving a wide spectrum of severity, including the necessity of surgical care and hospital admission. Complementing published work in clinical and emergency medicine, these findings are highly relevant to the forensic evaluation of injuries in an allegation of sexual assault, as the severity of a vaginal injury in this setting does not necessarily support a conclusion on the issue of consent.
AB - Studies on the occurrence of injuries following consensual sexual intercourse (CSI) among patients treated by office-based gynecologists are lacking. This survey aimed to assess the presence and medical relevance of vaginal injuries after CSI in gynecological office-based practice, associated risk factors, and their significance for forensic medical assessment practice. All office-based gynecologists in Hamburg, Germany (n = 316), were asked to fill in a one-page questionnaire via a fax survey. The questionnaire covered various aspects such as having observed CSI-related injuries, injury severity, risk factors, and concomitant factors (bleeding, need for surgical care, hospitalization). Response rate was 43.2% (n = 115). Overall, 83.5% of office-based gynecologists reported having observed vaginal injuries after CSI at least once and 59.1% repeatedly. Regarding maximum injury severity, 52.1% observed mucosal erosions, 32.3% mucosa penetrating injuries, and 14.6% injuries penetrating the vagina. Having observed bleeding was reported by 56.3%, 28.1% had to perform surgical suture care, and hospital admission was initiated by 20.8%. Menopause (37.5%), use of objects (19.8%), alcohol, and/or drug use (16.7%) were reported as the most frequently observed associated risk factors. Vaginal injuries after CSI have been observed by the majority of office-based gynecologists in Hamburg involving a wide spectrum of severity, including the necessity of surgical care and hospital admission. Complementing published work in clinical and emergency medicine, these findings are highly relevant to the forensic evaluation of injuries in an allegation of sexual assault, as the severity of a vaginal injury in this setting does not necessarily support a conclusion on the issue of consent.
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Coitus
KW - Vagina/injuries
KW - Lacerations
KW - Germany/epidemiology
KW - Hemorrhage
KW - Surveys and Questionnaires
U2 - 10.1007/s12024-022-00488-z
DO - 10.1007/s12024-022-00488-z
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 35716294
VL - 18
SP - 352
EP - 358
JO - FORENSIC SCI MED PAT
JF - FORENSIC SCI MED PAT
SN - 1547-769X
IS - 3
ER -