Dr. Manonmani Arul, MD

Dr. Arul was my gynecologist for approximately a year before I had uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). During this time, I disclosed to her an extensive history of trauma, including assault by a previous healthcare provider. I needed to disclose this because I had to make sure that no male providers consulting on my case would perform pelvic exams on me, as I find being touched by male doctors triggering. After I had my UFE, I was hospitalized overnight, and was experiencing uncontrolled pain, which I rated at an 8 out of 10. I requested that my pain management be increased before discharge, and consulted with a friend who works as a doctor in palliative care, who confirmed that two other medications were available to me that would better address my pain and would not have been unusual to prescribe in my situation. Dr. Arul then came into my hospital room, where she chastised me for complaining, saying that I “chose this procedure” and “had to deal with the consequences.” She then… informed me that she was going to have me discharged without even the standard dosage and type of medication that all UFE patients receive, and that I’d have to make do with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. She said that she was “aware of my trauma history” and that, in her opinion, my trauma history was causing me to “exaggerate” my pain. Verbatim, she concluded: “you are not in as much pain as you say you are.” The belief that anyone with a trauma history is incapable of providing a reliable account of their physical pain is extremely dangerous—it means that, if you have a trauma history you need to disclose to receive proper medical care, you put yourself at risk of receiving inadequate pain relief in the future. This deliberate withholding of pain relief is not just “unprofessional” or “neglectful,” it is a form of physical assault. This behavior is particularly alarming in a gynecologist, for whom dealing responsibly with trauma should be a matter of routine.