If you have pelvic or sexual pain your doctor may have recommended you do pelvic floor physical therapy. Other recommendations may have also included dilator therapy or getting injections or using suppositories. These treatments not only require time, energy and financial resources, but they can also be triggering for those with trauma in their past. Sexual trauma, medical trauma, an abusive … [Read more...] about When Trauma Gets in the Way of Treating Pelvic or Sexual Pain
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Understanding the Connection Between Trauma & Sexual/Pelvic Pain
Many studies now support the connection between trauma and the later development of sexual or pelvic pain in women. One population-based study of adult women found that sexual, physical and psychological abuse was linked to a four to six-fold increased risk of genital pain in adulthood (Harlow & Stewart, 2005). Another 2011 study found that teen girls suffering from genital pain reported … [Read more...] about Understanding the Connection Between Trauma & Sexual/Pelvic Pain
Coercive Sexual Experiences
An experience that is not usually represented in sexual assault or sexual violence statistics is the experience of sexual coercion. However, coercive sexual experiences are a type of sexual assault and sexual violence and can cause similar trauma related symptoms. Many women who have coercive sexual experiences struggle with how to label or name what has happened to them. Review the checklist … [Read more...] about Coercive Sexual Experiences
Endometriosis & Pleasurable Sex
Women with endometriosis tend to experience pain with deep penetration and thrusting due to the location of endometriosis adhesions. There are however several things you can do to make vaginal sex more pleasurable. First, make sure that you are ONLY dealing with endometriosis pain. Many women with endometriosis also end up developing some level of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, which will … [Read more...] about Endometriosis & Pleasurable Sex
Surviving the Narcissist: What to do When the Abuser Cries Abuse
A frightening story I hear over and over is that of a narcissistic ex-partner abusing the legal system to abuse and bully their former partner. The narcissist will claim their former partner was or is abusive to him/herself and/or their pets or children. This form of abuse is costly to the victim, as the victim needs to hire a lawyer to defend themselves and may miss time away from work to deal … [Read more...] about Surviving the Narcissist: What to do When the Abuser Cries Abuse
How Institutional Betrayal Complicates Healing From Sexual Trauma
Recently there have been more stories in the media about sexual assault or other sexual crimes in which institutional betrayal has played a large role (for example: Jerry Sandusky sexual abuses, various college campus sexual assaults, rampant sexual assaults against women in the military, Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assaults and Larry Nassar’s sexual abuses). Institutional betrayal is when an … [Read more...] about How Institutional Betrayal Complicates Healing From Sexual Trauma