Undergoing a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) procedure in early childhood can have lasting impacts on an individual’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. From eating disorders to PTSD to dissociative amnesia, there’s a terrifyingly vast range of debilitating symptoms that survivors of VCUG, child sexual abuse, and sexual assault can go on to develop. While some side effects of VCUG are temporary, others can result in chronic or lifelong pain in VCUG survivors.
When it comes to sexual and medical trauma, it’s no secret that women are automatically at a major disadvantage. While 1 in 33 men will experience rape or attempted rape, a staggering 1 in 6 women will be a victim of sexual assault or attempted rape in her lifetime. To make matters worse, more than twice as many little girls (1 in 9) will experience child sexual abuse (CSA) before age 18 compared to 1 in 20 boys.
As you can imagine, this can significantly heighten the stakes when it comes to healing from repeated sexual assaults or recurring sexual trauma, often leading to diagnoses like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). While child sexual abuse and related trauma must be addressed as quickly and effectively as possible regardless of gender, it’s worth noting that female survivors are susceptible to developing an extremely common condition after sexual trauma that often goes undiagnosed in women: vaginismus.
Keep reading to learn more about vaginismus symptoms, causes, risks, and treatment options for women after VCUG trauma.
Vaginismus in Women After Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)
Sexual trauma can take a very serious toll on a person’s physical and mental health. One effect that many women experience after sexual abuse, especially in early childhood, is a medical condition known as vaginismus.
Vaginismus is a complex condition that affects the muscles surrounding the vagina, causing involuntary spasms and tightness. It’s absolutely crucial to seek professional help from a mental health specialist or trusted physician if you’re experiencing symptoms of vaginismus or any condition that causes you distress or pain after sexual trauma, such as rape, sexual assault, or child sexual abuse.
Vaginismus is characterized by the involuntary contraction of pelvic floor muscles surrounding the vagina. This can make any form of vaginal penetration painful, difficult, and in many cases, impossible. It’s imperative to understand that vaginismus is not a conscious reaction to sex, but an automatic bodily response in anticipation of pain or discomfort.
This is because vaginismus is rooted in the brain’s limbic system–the area responsible for behaviors pertaining to survival, such as feeding, reproduction, and fight/flight/freeze/fawn responses. The primary functioning of the limbic system entails processing motivation, long-term memory, and processing emotions.
Vaginismus isn’t limited to sexual intercourse, either. Women who suffer from this condition can also experience hardships in various aspects of day-to-day life, including visits to the OB/GYN and the use of menstrual products like tampons. Given the stigmas around vaginismus and related conditions that impact women, it’s no surprise that only 1-6% of women with vaginismus have been properly diagnosed–despite doctors insisting that the condition is “very common.” In fact, a staggering 3 in 4 women will experience pain during sex at some point in their lives.
Vaginismus Symptoms
Women with vaginismus can experience a range of symptoms, including:
Pain or discomfort during attempts at vaginal penetration, such as during intercourse, tampon insertion, or gynecological examinations.
Inability to insert a finger, tampon, or any other object into the vagina.
Feelings of anxiety, fear, or panic related to vaginal penetration.
Tightness, burning, or stinging sensations around the vaginal opening.
Muscle spasms or a sensation of "closing up" during attempted penetration.
Risks of Vaginismus
Vaginismus can have substantial impacts on a woman’s life, such as:
Strained relationships and intimacy issues – The pain and difficulties associated with vaginismus can lead to emotional distress and strain on relationships, causing frustration, guilt, and a decrease in sexual satisfaction.
Psychological distress – Vaginismus can contribute to feelings of shame, anxiety, and low self-esteem. It may also lead to avoidance of sexual activity or intimate relationships altogether, resulting in isolation and reduced quality of life.
Delayed diagnosis and treatment – Due to the sensitive nature of the condition, young women may feel embarrassed or reluctant to seek help, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. This can make it more difficult for women to comfortably express and explain their symptoms, let alone resolve them.
What Causes Vaginismus?
While experts are still unsure about the exact cause of vaginismus at this time, there are definite risk factors associated with women who develop vaginismus, including (but not limited to):
Sexual trauma or abuse – Experiencing sexual trauma, abuse, or any form of non-consensual sexual activity can have a significant impact on a person's relationship with their body, leading to fear, anxiety, and muscle tension during sexual encounters.
Psychological factors – Vaginismus can also be influenced by psychological factors, such as anxiety, fear of pain, negative beliefs about sex, and past negative sexual experiences.
Lack of education and awareness – A lack of knowledge about female sexual health, anatomy, and sexual functioning can contribute to misconceptions and feelings of shame or guilt surrounding sex, which may exacerbate vaginismus symptoms.
Physical factors – In some cases, physical conditions such as infections, vaginal dryness, or medical procedures involving the pelvic area may contribute to vaginismus symptoms.
How Is Vaginismus Treated?
Vaginismus can be a distressing condition that affects the physical and emotional well-being of young women who have experienced sexual trauma. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of vaginismus or chronic pain after VCUG or sexual abuse, it’s important to seek help from a medical professional you can trust.
Turning to a psychiatrist, mental health specialist, psychologist, or other trusted physician with experience in sexual trauma and women’s health can help address underlying physical or psychological causes that may be present to alleviate your pain. They can also help you develop a treatment plan that you feel comfortable with, and help you explore options tailored to your unique circumstances.
Generally, treatment for vaginismus entails a combination of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), pelvic floor physical therapy, gradual desensitization exercises, and relaxation techniques.
Join the Unsilenced Movement to End Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG) & Child Sexual Abuse for Good
Our Unsilenced Community was built on the backs of brave VCUG survivors who fought tooth and nail to survive after severe medical trauma and child sexual abuse. Many of our courageous members have undergone a constellation of horrific physical and psychological effects as a result of this barbaric pediatric procedure, including vaginismus, eating disorders, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidality. While we’re fortunate to know so many powerful individuals who battled mental illnesses and won, others weren’t as lucky–and have only the medical community to blame for lying and deceiving pediatric patients and caregivers alike.
It’s time to hold pediatricians and physicians accountable for our children’s healthcare and well-being. Pediatricians have a duty of care to families, including the responsibility to assess the effects of pediatric care, surgeries, and procedures on both the child’s immediate health and their future health in adulthood. Needless to say, pediatricians and radiologists alike are failing children and their parents by subjecting them to blatant child sexual abuse in voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) procedures, leaving them with lasting trauma and psychological damage.
After undergoing VCUGs in early childhood, many survivors in our Unsilenced Community went on to experience detrimental effects. Many no longer desire the intimate relationships, marriages, and families they once dreamt of having, as their trust and health were shattered by cruel and careless doctors who continue to administer this barbaric procedure today–one that wasn’t medically necessary for a shocking number of VCUG survivors. Nevertheless, these poor kids go on to experience strained relationships with family and friends, in addition to extreme social and academic difficulties as they grow up with PTSD, cognitive impairments, and more.
Join the Unsilenced Movement to demand proper, comprehensive, up-to-date information for caregivers regarding their child’s pediatric care, from routine vaccinations to surgeries to diagnostic procedures. It’s time for families in the U.S., Canada, and beyond to learn the truth about this so-called “safe” exam that is single-handedly devastating our children’s developing bodies and brains. Take the first step toward making the world a safer place for kids to grow, develop, and thrive–without the unfair burdens of VCUG trauma, child sexual abuse, PTSD, autoimmune diseases, and many other mental illnesses directly linked to childhood trauma.
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