Psychological aspects of gynaecological outpatients

Two hundred and forty-eight women who were first attenders at a gynaecological outpatient clinic were assessed psychologically and categorised according to gynaecological complaint.The study sought to elucidate predictors for psychological distress and psychiatric diagnosis in this particular group.The presence of a psychiatric history, frequent attendance at the GP for nerves together with a younger age and single or separated/divorced status were associated with the measures used. Secondary amenorrhoea/oligomenorrhoea was specifically associated with depression. Complaints of dysmenorrhoea were associated with the presence of any psychiatric diagnosis (as assessed by questionnaires). The presence or absence of pathology was unrelated to any psychological or psychiatric measure. This report forms part of a prospective study investigating the relationship between psychological and gynaecological symptoms.