I am so sorry that you were violated in this way. A physician takes an oath to do no harm, which should have included notifying you of all the aspects of each procedure and checking to be sure you had the preparation to numb.

I was not discriminated against because of my sexual orientation, but also had a traumatizing experience with a gynecologist 17 years ago.

They informed me that I was born with a genetic defect in my uterus, that meant it would be nearly impossible to conceive. As I lay there on the table, trying to process this unexpected news, my doctor said what I had was very rare and since he worked for a teaching hospital, would I allow his students to come in and see the examination? I was in such emotional shock I simply nodded yes and lay there with my genitals on display for 8 interns to gawk at, while I tried to process that I would never become a mother. Looking back, I wished I would have been able to set a healthy boundary, but I know I did the best I could. The doctor, however, didn’t take my feelings into account, I was simply a weird case study…