A follow-up study of adolescent girls with early sexual debut in combination with gynecological problems

Abstract

This research examined the extent to which women's reproductive experiences during adolescence have repercussions in adult life with regard to sexuality, self-image and state of gynecological health. The investigated group comprised 30 female (study group), with a sexual debut at the age of 15 years or younger and documented gynecological ill-health during adolescence. A comparison was made with 30 matched females from the same school classes (control group) without documented gynecological ill-health. At the age of 25–30 a semi-structured interview was conducted with both investigated and control participants. The majority of the women from the study group experienced their adolescent sexual experiences as generally negative. In early adulthood these women had more recurrent and varied gynecological illnesses than their control group counterparts. The study group women more often referred to their appearance as an indicator of their femininity than did the control women (who defined femininity in terms of 'to be in a relationship'). The study group women had a more negative attitude towards their own body than did the control women. Study group women's early sexual experience was also linked to an increase in norm-breaking behavior, lower educational attainment and a younger age of adult responsibilities compared with the control women