Do Sexual Health Care Needs Differ for Women with and without Histories of Abuse?

Information is limited regarding sexual concerns and sexual health care needs of women who have experienced abuse. This study compares sexual concerns as well as interest and experience in discussing these concerns with physicians for women with and without a history of abuse. Nearly all women reporting abuse had sexual concerns and, specifically, a significantly higher intensity of decreased sexual interest than women not experiencing abuse. Women reporting abuse see physicians as a resource for their sexual health needs. Although they were more likely to raise the topic than women not reporting abuse, they clearly prefer that physicians initiate the topic.