Psychological distress in women with uterovaginal agenesis (Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome, MRKH).
BACKGROUND
Uterovaginal agenesis (Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome; MRKH) is a congenital nonformation of the vagina and the uterus, but with normal ovaries.


OBJECTIVE
The authors investigated the psychological impact of this disorder, about which very little is known.


METHODS
A group of 66 women with MRKH were compared with 31 control-group women on a range of self-rating scales assessing psychological distress and self-esteem.


RESULTS
Women with MRKH had significantly more pathological scores on some of the scales and subscales, such as phobic anxiety and psychoticism (interpersonal alienation), with a similar trend for subscales measuring depression and anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
MRKH has a lasting negative impact on affected women's level of psychological distress and self-esteem.
Heller-Boersma
Jacoline G
JG
"Scaling Your Mountains" Therapeutic Practice, 11 Gregory St., The Attic Rm., Sandy Bay Holistic Veterinary Centre, Sandy Bay, Hobart, 7005 Tasmania, Australia. scalingyourmountains@bigpond.com
Schmidt
Ulrike H
UH
Edmonds
D Keith
DK
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D002885:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16 / Q000235:genetics; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012649:Self Concept; D013577:Syndrome; D014599:Uterus / Q000002:abnormalities*; D014621:Vagina / Q000002:abnormalities*