The impact of gender-based violence on female sexual function

1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime, many of them suffer from mental harms, which significantly influence women’s physical and psychological health. The research was aimed to evaluate the impact of gender-based violence experience on female sexual function. Descriptive cross-sectional study, using questionnaires, was conducted from November 2020 to January 2021. The study included 315 out of 507 respondents, who experienced any type of violence. Data was analyzed using SPSS26. 267(84.7%) of women experienced emotional violence, 110(41.2%) first faced it being a teenager. 113(52.1%) out of 217(68.8%) had injuries after physical violence and 54(47.8%) hid those were caused by violence. Forced touching was experienced by 175(55.5%), 112(35.5%) had intercourse without consent, for 76(67.9%) it was unprotected, 21(18.8%) had perineal bleeding and 19(17.0%) injuries of perineal area after the intercourse. 18(5.7%) were abused during pregnancy, 2(11.1%) of these pregnancies were the result of sexual abuse, 10(55.6%) mentioned sexual life worsening: decreased frequency (n=12;66.6%), decreased libido (n=14;77.8%), decline in reaching orgasm (n=6;33.3%).Violence in postpartum period was registered among 26(8.2%) of women, 9(34.6%) continued their sexual life <6 weeks after delivery, 13(50.0%) noted worsening of sexual life and 19(76.0%) experienced decreased sex frequency, 9(34.6%) complained about reduction of orgasming and 19(73.1%) about lowered libido. Violence became the reason of abortion in 2(4.2%) cases.150(47.6%) of women noted the impact of abuse on further sexual relations: 45(30.0%) were afraid of new relationships and sexual life, 61(40.7%) had difficulties with orgasming and 56(37.3%) with libido. 239(75.9%) are sexually active now, 126(52.7%) complain about occasional dyspareunia, 24(10.0%) never orgasm. Gender-based violence against women is a crucial issue for modern society. Abusive experience influences female sexual function, including difficulties in feeling satisfaction, decreased libido and frequent dyspareunia. Nevertheless, noticeable part of respondents remains hiding violence and staying with abuser.