eChapter
Added:
28/02/2013
Trauma to the female genital tract is unfortunately relatively common, and often occurs during childbirth. However, serious genital trauma may also occur during consensual or non-consensual sex or be ...self-induced or accidental in origin, with all injuries requiring significant skills to identify and treat appropriately. This eChapter is from the eBook The Vulva and Vaginal Manual, and describes the most common forms of trauma to female genitalia, including an extended discussion on the topic of female circumcision.
The author begins by emphasising that the commonest cause of moderate or severe physical trauma to the vulva and vagina is childbirth, with most primigravidas and many parous women delivering vaginally at or near term experiencing tearing of the lower vagina or vulva around the introitus, unless an episiotomy of the perineum is performed. Injuries associated with sexual trauma are then described, including tearing of the hymen, and injuries resulting from rape. The eChapter then considers the topic of accidental trauma, which, although relatively rare, is often the result of being thrown again the handlebars of a bicycle or motorcycle. Following this, self-induced injuries are discussed, and photographs are used to illustrate the descriptions.
The second part of the eChapter is concerned with iatrogenic trauma, and focuses upon injuries occurring as a result of surgical interventions, excessive use of harmful chemicals in the treatment of certain diseases of the vulva and vagina and damage that may arise from radiotherapy used for the treatment of uterine cancer. An extended discussion on female circumcision dominates the latter half of this section, which concludes with a description of approaches to removal of foreign bodies from within the vagina.
This eChapter forms part of the Ausmed publication The Vulva and Vaginal Manual, edited by Graeme Dennerstein, James Scurry, John Brenan, David Allen and Maria-Grazia Marin. A richly illustrated and comprehensive guide to the identification and treatment of over 275 vulvovaginal diseases The Vulva and Vaginal Manual is an invaluable resource especially suitable for:
Gynecologists
Dermatologists
General Practitioners
Obstetricians
Midwives
General nurses
Practice nurses
Nurse Practitioners
There are also 14 additional eChapters from The Vulva and Vaginal Manual available for members to download from the Ausmed website. Subscription also entitles members to access the full range of resources that compliment and build upon the material described within The Vulva and Vaginal Manual, including a richly populated catalogue of Audio Lectures, Fast Facts and Video Learning Activities on the topics of gynecology, obstetrics, oncology, women’s health and a wide range of other healthcare topics. Both members and non-subscribers alike may also purchase a hard copy of this book from the Ausmed Education Online Bookstore, along with hard copies of the complimentary publication Gynecological Cancer Care: A Guide to Practice.