Re: Getting personal about sexual abuse & Endo
From: Kat (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat Jan 31 12:06:54 2009
My 21 YO daughter was just diagnosed as having severe scarring and
endometriosis and she too, was sexually molested at 18 months of age. At
that time, scarring was noticed, but it has worsened to a point where
she needs surgery and they think she may have fertility problems of
such.
I too, had endo, fibroids, and cervical cancer...and was sexually
molested.
What I am wondering besides the medical aspect of things, is, if there
is any chance for a civil suit agiant her perp? He was found guilty, but
only served TWO WEEKS in a detention center, and THAT was for a psych
eval. THIS IS NOT JUSTICE...and I cannot believe that it is rearing its
ugly head NOW, after all these years.
Also, since her young age when this occurred, she NEVER KNEW...I had to
bring it up for medical reasons..
hAt Sat, 22 Apr 2006, JoCee27 wrote:
>
>This is a very personal question for those of you Endo sufferers. I
>know we've said in the past that "nothing could be that personal;" but
>this is. If anything it will give us something to think about and
>question.
>
>I was wondering how many of you--and I know this is touchy so you can
>reply as ANON if you want to--have been or ever were sexually abused?
>The reason why I bring this up is because I am studying law and I
>happened to stumble across an article about the long-term effects of
>sexual abuse in women. One of the young women mentioned in this article
>that she has had Endometriosis for 19 years and her doctor claimed that
>it came from of one of two things: 1) Sexual molestation or 2) An injury
>to the vaginal or reproductive system at a young age. She claims that
>no one in her family--paternal or maternal--has a history of
>Endometriosis or female related problems.
>
>She says in this article and I quote:
>
>"A reproductive specialist I've been seeing for quite some time made
>reference to past sexual abuse and molestation as being responsible for
>the reason that I could never concieve; the reason for Endometriosis.
>Imagine my surprise when he asked me if I had ever been sexually
>abused...; it's just not something I've ever felt the need to discuss
>with my physician. I told my physician about the abuse and revealed all
>the details to him."
>
>"My physician told me that the scar tissue and bleeding occured as a
>result of the sexual abuse. This is how the disease began to thrive in
>my body."
>
>"I've not been able to have children and I am 35. I never thought that
>sexual abuse would have this type of effect on my life. It has not only
>traumatized me as in how I view intimacy and personal relationships; but
>it has left me with a disease that will not allow me to have children. I
>could never forgive, or forget, my abuser. He not only took away my
>childhood; but he took away the experience of rearing my own child." END
>QUOTE
>
>The article goes on to give a physician's statement that says--and I am
>paraphrasing here--that "sexual abuse and forced entry into a young
>female's body could cause trauma, interior and exterior bruising, and
>internal bleeding of the sexual organs and reproductive system which in
>turn could cause the long-term effects of Endometriosis as well as other
>sexual diseases and disorders." Another physician in the article goes on
>to say that, "Not only can sexual abuse cause scar tissue in the
>reproductive organs; but physical abuse as a child or as a young woman
>can be contributed to this matter."
>
>I'm not saying that there is any truth to this statement as we know
>there are quack doctors out there that will tell you something as off
>the wall as: "You can get pregnant if you do handstands after sex".
>Yes... I've heard that before. (rolls eyes) But it did surprise me to
>stumble across an article of this type.
>
>I was sexually abused at 4-years-old and I was physically abused as a
>child. It surprised me to read such a thing; let alone come across
>something so valuable as this article.
>
>JoCee
>
>--
>ENDOANGEL JOCEE
>
>Endometriosis Online Support Group
>http://com3.runboard.com/bendometriosissupportgroup
>
>Endo Sisterhood Support Group
>http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EndoSisterhood/
>
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