June 1, 1998 – According to Dr. Ghislain Devroede, professor of surgery at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Sherbrooke (Quebec, Canada), colon motility disorders are very often linked to sexual abuse during childhood. “Thanks to North American and European studies, we now know that one in two women who consult gastroenterology for an irritable colon was probably the victim of sexual abuse during her childhood. Moreover, according to these studies, 90% of treating physicians are not even aware of a history of abuse. ”
In tandem with the University of Rouen, France, the University of Sherbrooke conducted research that identified the three main symptoms of sexual abuse cases: chronic abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea. Researchers have also shown that anorectal motility is disrupted in subjects who have been sexually abused.
A congress will examine the subject, from September 23 to 27, in Montreal. The First International Pelvic Floor Congress is expected to attract 2,000 people and will bring together specialists from 17 fields including urology, gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, sexology, law, psychology, education and sociology.
“We will also be talking about unnecessary surgeries,” says Dr. Devroede. In fact, British studies have found that a woman who is sexually abused by her father will have an average of eight surgeries during her lifetime, of which 75% will be unnecessary. We have also planned a round table that will bring together patients and victims of sexual abuse. It is important to allow them to share their experiences with us. Because we have to get to know the other side of medicine better. ”
HealthPassport.net
According to Medical News, May 13, 1998
