title: Psychological distress in women with uterovaginal agenesis (Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome, MRKH).
abstract: 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.
authors: "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
authors: Jacoline G
authors: JG
authors: Heller-Boersma
authors: Ulrike H
authors: UH
authors: Schmidt
authors: D Keith
authors: DK
authors: Edmonds
mesh_terms: 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*