Pelvic Exam Trauma

[DML82]

It's really not.
It's a sign that it was distressing, sure. Don't diagnose yourself with a severe mental illness, for your own sake, girl.

I have been diagnosed by multiple doctors too, girl.

 

[ILoveLife]

But please do see a therapist about it, medical procedures that provoke anxiety (although not yet Crit A) is a real issue that should definitely be addressed.

 

[TTC18]

I've been (unsuccessfully for now, lol) working with my T on exposure therapy to some of my issues. Are you working with a T? Hopefully you can get some help with this issue. :) Having someone in your corner (therapy/psych-doc, etc) really does help. :)

 

[ILoveLife]

Ok, multiple. I'll leave you alone then.

Best of luck.
(and I didn't mean girl in a prejorative way, sorry)

 

[DML82]

It's really not.
It's a sign that it was distressing, sure. Don't diagnose yourself with a severe mental illness, for your own sake, girl.

I have been diagnosed by multiple doctors too, girl

I've been (unsuccessfully for now, lol) working with my T on exposure therapy to some of my issues. Are you working with a T? Hopefully you can get some help with this issue. :) Having someone in your corner (therapy/psych-doc, etc) really does help. :)

Well my doctor is putting a physical therapy program together for me to help relax my pelvic floor. Since I’m usually only triggered when the need for an exam comes up, or the thought, I avoid them and thinking about them at all costs. I may look more into it after I start physical therapy

 

[TTC18]

Since I’m usually only triggered when the need for an exam comes up, or the thought, I avoid them and thinking about them at all costs. I may look more into it after I start physical therapy

Yeah, that's what exposure is supposed to help with. My T says - the more you avoid something the harder it gets to NOT avoid it. I hope the physical therapy helps without being too triggering!

 

[Justmehere]

There are many distressing difficult medical procedures and life events for which one can have a response of severe psychological distress and fear. Legitimately horrible things in life that contribute to legitimate severe distress. This does not mean one has the specific major mental illness of PTSD because of distress and fear about a medical procedure. PTSD is not a badge of honor and should not be used as a badge of validation that the distress now and pain in the past are legit. Your pain and distress is real no matter what diagnosis.

What type of doctor had diagnosed you with PTSD? If you have PTSD, then you need psychological treatment. PTSD is not treated by physical therapy alone. Pelvic floor therapy can help the vaginismus, and is best done by a pelvic floor therapist. Solid pelvic floor therapy for actually involves quite a bit. It’s not usually a plan a doc just puts together and hands a patient. I’d suggest reading up more on it. Pelvic floor therapy is not treatment for the major mental health disorder of PTSD - which this doctor claims you now have. That sounds like a lazy doc to not also be recommending mental health counseling. I think it’s time you get solid compassionate care to resolve the distress you are in now. Not more flippant doctors.

Um, yes, having anxiety attacks triggered by the sight of a speculum or just by remembering this 1st exam, kind of a sign of Ptsd.

It can be sign of numerous mental health disorders.

Someone FORCING an object in your vagina, even though they’re a “doctor” can still cause psychological damage.

Vaginismus does mean pelvic exams can hurt badly. It can make insertion of a speculum hurt, as if it is forced, even when it is not forced. It can really really hurt. (It feels like my insides being ripped apart.) You consented to the procedure and do not describe anything which took away that consent. That makes it hard to see it as Criterion A trauma, and you are bound to get pushback on PTSD forums like this one. Based on what you describe, it was clearly a tough medical procedure.

I once had to get a shot in my eyeball. Totally freaked me out. Now I get very nervous whenever someone pulls out needles near my head. Do I have PTSD because of that? No. I have an easy to understand phobia. That’s different than PTSD.

Your history, symptoms and current physical-therapy-only treatment plan suggests to me that you have vaginismus and a resulting understandable phobia of pelvic exams. I do understand your doc believes this is PTSD, and perhaps there is much more going on than described here that lead to the diagnosis. Especially because a medical doctor is clear you have the major mental health disorder of PTSD, I’d recommend starting counseling, perhaps CBT or possibly EMDR, right away. Without delay. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to resolve. It will likely make proper pelvic floor therapy more doable and more effective. I’d also strongly suggest at least consulting with a solid pelvic floor physical therapist.

 

[Kubash16]

I agree completely with what @Justmehere just said. I also want to add- I completely understand your pain with the procedure. I absolutely hate getting the exams because for me they hurt like h*ll. Some of that is psychological because of being raped as a child. But I do think some of it is physical because I almost always have to adjust in some way and it feels like it takes them forever to get the speculum in because I’m just not shaped right or tense up too much or something. I know you say you don’t have any CSA in your background, but I wanted you to know I know how much it hurts. Sex can hurt like h*ll too if I’m not dissociated enough, which I usually am.

Are panic attacks the only symptom you have exhibited since the exam? Or are there others?

 

[DML82]

Hi Everyone, I found a couple more specific forums about the psychological effects of these exams and Vaginismus support forums, so focusing my attention on those responses now. Thanks for sharing your opinions.