(April 3, 2008 - Insidermedicine) For women, the negative health effects of being the victim of violence from a male partner go far beyond the injuries they inflict, according to an analysis published in The Lancet.

If you are currently living with a partner who is abusive, here are some tips to consider:

•    Be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Make sure the car is always fueled up and pack a kit that includes money, a change of clothes, an extra set of keys, and important documentation, such as a driver's license, passports, legal documents, and birth certificates.

•    Identify safe places in the house where you can go if your abuser starts attacking, preferably a room with a window to the outside and/or a telephone.

•    Develop a code word you can use with friends, neighbors, and family to let them know when the police need to be called.

In a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), researchers interviewed nearly 25,000 women aged 15 to 49 about their past experiences with physical or sexual violence at the hands of a male partner as well as about their own physical and mental health.

Women who had experienced violence at the hands of a male partner at any time in the past were more likely to have poorer health overall. They were also more likely to have specific health problems in the four weeks prior to the interview, including difficulty walking or conducting daily activities, pain, memory loss, dizziness, and vaginal discharge. These women were also more likely to suffer from emotional distress and suicidal thoughts or actions.

Today's research demonstrates how violence against women at the hands of a male intimate partner can produce lasting negative effects on physical and mental health that remain long after the violence has ceased.For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.