Healthcare professional actually respected my lack of consent and it was amazing

I’ve had a lot of gynecological health issues for the past 15 years (since I was a teenage) and am very used to undergoing exams that I am not comfortable with, or having providers move too fast and not giving me time to be ready, or stopping when I’m clearly uncomfortable. I’m touch averse and have a bit of trauma, so I’ve had panic attacks and gone non-responsive during exams and stuff, but mostly I try to grin and bear it.

Recently I’ve been experiencing pelvic pain and went to a physical therapist for the first time. When she was explaining some different ways to evaluate what’s going on, she asked me if I was comfortable with [one evaluation method]. I said, “Well I’m not comfortable -comfortable, but if you think it’s necessary or would be better, I guess it’s okay.” And she said we didn’t have to do that, and offered a different evaluation method, if I was comfortable with it - I didn’t even have to do that either. Anyway, I get to choose what I’m okay with for the next appointment.

I know this sounds like a small thing, but this is genuinely the first time I have ever felt in a medical setting like I actually have a choice and could refuse something without feeling like the provider would be mad at me, or would pressure me into an exam or treatment. I’m realizing that I’ve never actually felt that freedom before. When I was a teen, even if I flat out said I didn’t want something, unambiguously, my mom and gynecologist would pressure me and override my feelings on the issue. I’m so grateful to this physical therapist for recognizing that I may not actually be okay with it from the way I phrased my answer.

I was put so at ease knowing that it’s entirely up to me what happens to my body. It’s the best experience with consent I’ve ever had. This should be basic and just how consent works in medical settings, but that’s not been my past experience. It definitely gives me more confidence for the future to stick up for myself a little more if I really don’t want something done or can’t handle x, y, z on a particular day.