WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for February, 2009: Re: SEXUALABUSE: Never Been to Gynecologist---When and How?

Re: SEXUALABUSE: Never Been to Gynecologist---When and How?

From: JoAnn NP (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 1 Feb 2009 19:15:58 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: DreamHaze: "SEXUALABUSE: Never Been to Gynecologist---When and How?"

At Sun, 1 Feb 2009, DreamHaze wrote: >
>I was sexually abused for several years as a child, and am now turning
>18. I've never seen a gynecologist or any sort of doctor about it,
>although I did place charges against my abuser....The thing is, I don't
>know when you're actually supposed to start seeing a gynecologist. Most
>sites say 21 or as soon as you're sexually active--but I don't consider
>my abuse to be me being "sexually active". I'm always kind of worried
>that something's wrong "down there", and I have an irregular period
>(which is a pain, to say the least). Some of the abuse involved objects
>and it would sometimes really, really hurt, and that worries me. Also,
>two of my aunts died of ovarian cancer and colon cancer, respectively,
>so I have a family history of that.
>
>When should I first be seeing a gynecologist, and what can I expect
>knowing that it will be a severely emotional and triggering experience?
>How do gynecologists deal with a patient who is this terrified..?

Dream Haze , You will be treated with respect and empathy as you deserve.I know you will pick the right place .It can be done in more than one visit.You can make a talking only appointment to decide whether you want that person to examine you.Or you can do the exam the same day.You can always say stop if that is enough for the first visit.Sometimes, I do the top half of the exam and then schedule the second visit for the bottom half.The exam involves a tampon iszed instrument called a speculum with NO sharp edges.You can ask them to provide a chaperone the whole time.It is allowed for you to bring a support person ,who I call a coach.They will need to seperate the two of you to be sure that you want that person with you part or all of the time.It is time for you to start seeing a GYN provider ,a Nurse Practitioner or Physician.I would recommend the first appointment of the day so you do not have to wait or the last appointment of the day so you have time.Ask when you call which is better.If you want , you can bring a mirror so you can see how everything looks, but many people do not do that.I said that because you said your abuser used objects that hurt. You deserve to get great care .You are in charge now. Pain management for your periods will be helpful, as will accomplishing your first female exam.I hope we hear from others who have been abused to give your their help in having a successful first exam.I wish you well.JoAnn NP

--
Jo Ann  NP
Scottsdale, Arizona

Next message: William F. von Almen, II, MD, FACOG: "Re: YOUNGWOMEN: I have a question can a ob/gyn please answer or a nurse or a medical person"
Previous message: amber: "YOUNGWOMEN: I have a question can a ob/gyn please answer or a nurse or a medical person"
In reply to: DreamHaze: "SEXUALABUSE: Never Been to Gynecologist---When and How?"

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