LIFE WITH TURNERS-SYNDROME - A PSYCHOSOCIAL REPORT FROM 22 MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN

Twenty-two middle-aged women (median age 44.5 years) with Turner's syn drome were interviewed about family background, social identity, emoti onal development, relations, female identity, sexuality and reactions to the diagnosis, to evaluate how the condition has affected their liv es and coping style. During the years preceding the diagnosis and horm onal replacement therapy (HRT) they had often isolated themselves as t hey felt different from their peers. Ovarian failure and infertility, not the body height, were the major problems for most of the women. In fertility had affected the women very deeply and many felt depressed b ecause of this. Adolescent behaviour, a feeling of chronic inferiority or a feeling of grief were different ways of coping with the situatio n. Median age at sexual debut was 19.5 years. Painful intercourse rela ted to vaginal constriction and sore membranes was commonly reported. Most of the women had stopped HRT because of side-effects. Many of the problems experienced by the women could have been avoided if proper H RT had been administered in due time and on a long-term basis. This em phasizes the importance of regular contact with a gynecologist of spec ial training and interest.