Vaginismus and Transvaginal Ultrasound?

[Struggling1995]

Hi everyone. I’m a patient who has endometriosis, an ovarian cyst currently and severe vaginismus. I finally found a doctor who is going to be doing a laparoscopy for the endometriosis and cyst but today I need a transvaginal ultrasound before we can schedule surgery. I’m absolutely terrified and I haven’t stopped crying. Can anyone tell me their experience so I can be prepared? No one mentioned or offered any medications or creams or anything. I just have to suffer through it I guess. I screamed and sobbed through my last pelvic exam even with the child size speculum and one finger. Please. Can anyone help me brace myself?

[blueclouds]

I’m sorry to say this, but I think all vaginismus patients struggle with this. Some of us take a tranquilizer, others ask if they can insert the speculum themselves. I always told the gyn he needed to use the smallest speculum, but in all honesty, it usually came down to “suffer through it”. Why don’t you consider pelvic floor therapy? Are you seeing a pelvic floor specialist?

[SexlessInSeattle]

Please call your doctor before your appointment and let them know what’s going on with you and ask them what options they can provide to help make this more comfortable for you. If you don’t get a call back, say that at the beginning of the appointment. If it feels difficult to say this to them, practice ahead of time with a friend, in the mirror, on a pretend phone call etc. It’s unfortunate that medical professionals aren’t always proactive in addressing pain or other issues, but you can advocate for yourself and get better care. Our thoughts and support are with you.

[SexlessInSeattle]

Also @blueclouds, I’m sorry your experiences came down to “suffer through it”, and it’s so unfortunate how common this is. I’ve experienced some of that too. But please don’t normalize that for other women. It is possible to advocate for ourselves and get better care.

[blueclouds]

@sexlessinseattle The problem is there is not really that much a gyn can do about it, besides sending you to a pelvic floor therapist. Yes, they can use a smaller speculum, go slow, etc… and I agree you should tell the gyn about your condition so he/she is aware of the issues… but at the end the exam still has to take place. You can make it easier, but you can’t avoid it. That’s what I meant with “suffer through it”. If you’re still in the process of dilating, or worse, you didn’t start therapy yet, and you can’t have sex with your partner, an internal exam WILL be difficult. No matter what your gyn does. You have to be honest about that too.

[recessivegenequeen]

Hi Struggling1995 – I’m so sorry both about your chronic pain conditions and your vaginismus! Not all facilities offer this, but when I was younger I was able to get a vaginal examination done under anesthesia so I was completely unconscious at the time. This can be expensive, but if you truly have no other way and can’t go through with an internal exam otherwise I think it could be worth it – especially since this is in preparation to receive a surgery that will hopefully lessen pain you’re having from an ovarian cyst and endometriosis. You might consider asking your clinic about this possibility if things didn’t go well for you a few days ago.