Sexual abuse causes both physical and emotional scars.
We all know the mental health effects of sexual violence. But the physical health impacts? That’s a different story.
Most of us aren’t aware of the medical consequences of abuse. We don’t realize the suffering trauma survivors experience long after the abuse is over. And that’s the problem…
Sexual abuse can have a wide range of long-term physical health effects.
Decades of research have established this link. Survivors have a right to understand how their abuse impacts their health. The better we understand, the better we can treat. If you’re a survivor, your physical health matters. You deserve quality care. You’re worth healing.
Below is a complete guide on how sexual abuse impacts physical health. We’ll cover:
- The connection between sexual abuse and physical health
- The immediate effects on physical health
- The long-term effects on physical health
- Sexual abuse and chronic pain
- Tips for survivors to protect their physical health
The Connection Between Sexual Abuse and Physical Health
Survivors of sexual abuse experience a strong stress reaction.
Trauma puts the body into a state of hyperarousal. Stress hormones surge through the bloodstream. The heart rate increases. Blood pressure goes up. The body is in a state of fight-or-flight.
These stress responses are healthy in the short term. They help us survive a dangerous situation.
However, for survivors of sexual abuse, the stress reaction can become long-term.
According to the CDC, over 53% of women and 29% of men have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.
All of those people have had a strong physiological reaction to trauma. But for survivors, the stress response never shuts off. This constant state of physiological arousal leads to a variety of long-term health problems.
The brain may try to suppress the memories of abuse. But the body remembers. It stays in a state of hypervigilance, even long after the abuse ends.
Sexual abuse takes a long-term toll on physical health.
For survivors, it’s important to know about the connection between trauma and physical health. This includes learning the deadline to file a sexual abuse claim. Legal justice and financial compensation is one part of the healing process.
Immediate Physical Health Effects
In the immediate aftermath of sexual abuse, physical health concerns are obvious:
- Injuries from the assault
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Pregnancy
- Sleep problems
- Appetite changes
But these immediate health concerns are only the start. Survivors may not see the real impact on their physical health for months or years later.
Long-Term Physical Health Consequences
Long-term health effects of sexual abuse don’t show up right away.
Abuse can lead to an increased risk of a variety of long-term chronic diseases.
But what many survivors may not realize is just how many serious health conditions are linked to childhood abuse.
- Cardiovascular issues
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Immune system dysfunction
- Reproductive health issues
These are not small things. These are life-altering, long-term health problems. Survivors need to know the risks in order to take proactive steps to protect their health.
Cardiovascular Problems
Research has found links between childhood sexual abuse and adult heart disease.
The chronic stress response from abuse damages blood vessels over time. It can lead to high blood pressure. Inflammation throughout the body increases. This causes long-term harm.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Digestive issues are also common in survivors of sexual abuse.
Irritable bowel syndrome occurs frequently. Survivors often report chronic stomach pain. The brain-gut connection in our bodies means that emotional trauma can take a physical toll on our digestive systems.
Immune System Dysfunction
Constant stress weakens the immune system.
Survivors may get sick more often. They may take longer to recover. The body simply can’t function at its best when always in fight-or-flight mode.
Reproductive Health Problems
Sexual abuse can cause long-term reproductive health issues, especially in women.
Chronic pelvic pain, menstrual irregularities, and pregnancy complications are all more likely.
Chronic Pain and Sexual Abuse
One of the most insidious physical health effects is chronic pain.
Survivors have higher rates of unexplained pain.
Headaches, back pain, body aches. The list goes on. And for survivors of abuse, this pain often has no clear physical cause.
How does this happen?
Trauma changes the nervous system. Pain signals become amplified. Normal sensations can feel painful. This phenomenon is called central sensitization.
Sexually abused women are 1.5 times more likely to contract an STI than women who have not experienced such violence according to the World Health Organization.
This chronic pain is very real for survivors. It’s not imagined. It’s not exaggerated. Abuse fundamentally changes how our nervous system processes pain.
Protecting Physical Health for Survivors
The good news is, understanding these connections means survivors can take action.
Find trauma-informed healthcare providers.
Not all doctors are aware of the impact of sexual abuse on physical health. Seek out healthcare providers who understand and recognize this link. Trauma-informed providers will screen for and treat trauma-related physical conditions.
Prioritize stress management.
Managing stress becomes key for survivors since it underlies so many health problems.
This might include:
- Exercise
- Meditation or mindfulness
- Sleep
- Trauma-focused therapy
Get regular health screenings.
Survivors should be proactive in seeking out medical checkups. Early detection of problems is key. Monitor blood pressure. Get cardiovascular screenings. Don’t skip the doctor’s appointments.
Address mental health as well.
Mental and physical health are deeply intertwined.
Treatments for PTSD, depression, and anxiety can actually improve physical health. The body and mind need to heal together.
The Importance of Professional Support
Survivors of sexual abuse need professional support.
This is not a journey anyone should walk alone. The toll on both physical and emotional health is too great. Both physical healthcare and mental health treatment are important.
Survivors benefit from therapy that addresses trauma specifically.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) works. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has shown excellent results. Support groups can help too.
The medical community is slowly starting to wake up to this.
Trauma-informed care is becoming more common. More healthcare providers are starting to recognize that to treat the physical symptoms of survivors, they need to address the underlying trauma as well.
Taking the First Step
Healing is possible.
Survivors can recover from the long-term physical effects of sexual abuse. Understanding how the abuse impacts physical health is a first step in that healing process. Knowledge is power. The more survivors know, the more they can advocate for their own care. The more survivors know, the more they can seek out appropriate treatment. They can take control of their own health journey.
Bringing It All Together
Sexual abuse affects far more than emotional health.
The physical health effects are real. Documented. Significant.
Survivors of abuse face increased risks for heart disease, chronic pain, immune dysfunction, and more.
But here’s what’s most important…
Survivors can heal.
With the right support, trauma-informed healthcare, and appropriate treatment, the physical effects of sexual abuse can be managed. The human body is capable of tremendous healing when given the proper tools.
Understanding these links is the first step in that process. Empowerment starts with knowledge.
