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Gynecologist Exams After Being Raped
I have to have my first gyno exam since my rape in two days. I'm wondering how I should handle it. Do I tell the nurse anything, and if I do how much do I tell? What can and can't I tell her? Please help me!!!!!! I am really anxious and nervous about it. I could use all the advice anyone has.
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First: I am extremely sorry for what you have gone through. No one should ever go through what you have experienced. At the end of my advice to you I will provide some information and a link to some people I know can help you.
Whenever you visit your doctor you must be completely open with the doctor and the doctors clinical staff in order for them to treat you properly. Remember that since you were 14 you have had medical confidentiality. This means you can visit your doctor(s) and discuss anything you feel you need to with the doctor in complete privacy and confidentiality.
If you are a teenager over 14 and mom accompanies you to the doctors office the doctor will ask her to wait in the waiting room while you are being examined and treated. Everything that goes on in the exam room, everything that is discussed between you and the doctor and staff is confidential and by law my not be told to anyone. Your written permission is required to release any medical information to anyone including the insurance company.
The law is called "HIPPA", Health Information Personal Privacy Act. As a Firefighter/EMT I fall under this act. Under HIPPA I am not even allowed to inform loved ones of what hospital we transport the injured to from accident scenes without the permission of the victims.
The penalties under this act are to great to violate this law for anyone and your doctors knows this. No matter how much of a fuss or scene mom or dad may make a clinician cannot release this information. Do not let yourself be forced into signing a release if you don't want to.
Next hopefully you have reported the rape to the police. If not your doctor will probably discuss with you the importance of doing so. If it was something like a date rape, which most rapes fall under, it is very important to report them. It won't fix what happened to you but hopefully will save the girl from being raped.
Next: There is an organization called RAINN which stands for; Rape, Abuse, Incest, National Network. They have a 24/7 hotline you can call to speak with a trained call taker who can help you. They will talk with you for as long as you need to talk with them. They will help you find trained professionals within your community to help you deal with what has happened so that you can get on with your life. Their phone number is: 1-800-656-HOPE. Their web address is:[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
If you remember one thing from what I have written today please remember this: You have done nothing to cause your rape. You are a victim. He, the rapist has all the fault on him. Please no matter what happens from today forward remember that.
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You should be honest with her, She is your doctor and she is there to help you. Telling her will make her be more aware of your feelings and the situation. Tell her what happened, I know it's hard but in the end she is the doctor. I would advise you to seek therapy as well. Yes, Let her know and be honest about it.
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