Horrible & Humiliating ultrasound experience

I went to get a pelvic ultrasound and noted on the form that I’m not sexually active and can only use certain brands of tampons.

I took the whole day off work for this appointment because I was nervous and wanted to ensure I actually went. I wanted to feel relaxed, even though missing work meant losing a full day’s pay. At the time, I didn’t mind since the ultrasound was supposed to help me get answers about my health.

When I arrived, I had already drunk a full litre of water as instructed. However, due to recent health issues—like dehydration from being unwell and not eating or drinking properly for the past two weeks—my bladder was still empty.

The sonographer asked if we could proceed with an internal ultrasound, and I agreed. I was willing to put up with some discomfort if it meant getting answers for my health. When the procedure began and she attempted to insert the probe, I let out a quiet wince. At that point, she asked, “Oh, are you a virgin?” I replied, “Yes.” She stopped immediately and said, “Oh, I can’t do it. We’ll have to reschedule. I just assumed, since you were born in 2000. You don’t have a boyfriend? You’ve never had a boyfriend? Oh no, we can’t do it.”

I told her that I had noted on my form that I was not sexually active, and she replied, “Oh, sorry, I didn’t read it.” This was frustrating, as I had traveled an hour to get to the appointment as that clinic had a female sonographer and was fully prepared to proceed.

Afterward, when I went to the reception desk to rebook, I caught the tail end of a conversation between the receptionist and her coworker. The receptionist was laughing and saying, “Not sexually active.” She immediately stopped speaking the moment she saw me. From what I can assume, the sonographer must have told them about the attempt to perform the internal ultrasound and that it couldn’t be completed because I’m not sexually active, and they found this amusing.

This was incredibly frustrating and upsetting, especially because one of the reasons I’m getting the ultrasound in the first place is to investigate internal pain and very painful periods. The entire experience felt extremely disrespectful and humiliating.