A Gender Perspective on Coloproctological Diseases: A Narrative Review on Female Disorders

Abstract

Coloproctological diseases, including both benign and malignant conditions, are among the most common diagnoses in clinical practice. Several disorders affect both men and women, while others are unique to women, or women are at a greater risk of developing them. This is due to anatomical, biological, and social conditions and also due to females’ exclusive capabilities of reproduction and pregnancy. In this context, the same proctological disease could differ between men and women, who can experience different perceptions of health and sickness. There is a raised awareness about the impact of different diseases in women and a growing need for a personalized approach to women’s health. In this review, we aim to summarize the specific features of the main coloproctological diseases, specifically in the female population. This includes common complaints during pregnancy, conditions linked to vaginal delivery, functional consequences after colorectal resections, and conditions presenting a gender disposition.