The genital tract may be injured as in a road traffic accident. color: #CCFFCC">
During my senior registrar years, a young women was injured when a bus hit a bus shelter. She sustained a fracture of her pelvis and the external genitalia were severely lacerated. Surgical correction of the problems was undertaken jointly with the orthopaedic team.
It is not uncommon for young girls to injure themselves during exercise particularly in the gymnasium. If there is significant bleeding, suturing may be required. Injury in this area always places the professionals in a difficult position as there is inevitably the possibility of trauma having been inflicted by an adult. Failure to recognise this possibility could result in the child returning to a dangerous environment whilst on the other hand parents can understandably be aggrieved at the slightest suggestion of abuse. Everyone concerned should appreciate that it is the welfare of the child that is paramount.
During childbirth, the vagina and perineum are invariably traumatised and suturing may be required. Inevitably, there will be associated pain for a few days but at times their may be long-term problems and intercourse may be painful (superficial dyspareunia -38).
Childbirth can weaken the pelvic floor support leading to prolapse problems in later-life (3).
