Genital injuries in postmenopausal women after sexual assault.

Physiological and anatomical changes that occur as a result of menopause alter sexual response and sexual function. These changes can result in genital injuries from both consensual sexual intercourse and sexual assault. The purpose of this article is to review the literature examining what is known about postmenopausal women and genital injuries. Only seven research studies were found that examine genital injuries in postmenopausal women after sexual assault. Of the comparative studies, a majority determined that postmenopausal women are more likely to sustain genital injuries after sexual assault than younger women. No literature was found that specifically investigates genital injuries incurred as a result of consensual sexual intercourse versus sexual assault in the postmenopausal population.