Physical Responses
Listed below are some of the common physical responses many victim/survivors experience both directly after an assualt and those that may be experienced weeks -even months- afterwards. It is important to consider being seen by a medical professional after an assault, even if the assault happened weeks ago.
Sexual Assault exams are free and confidential.
See the Medical Options page for more information.
Physical (initial)
- Shock (cold, faint, confused/disoriented, tremble, nausea/vomiting)
- Sexually transmitted infection/disease
- Bleeding and/or infections from tears/cuts in the vagina or rectum
- Physical injury (from severe trauma to minor cuts, scrapes & bruises)
- General body soreness/tenderness/aches
- Throat irritations/soreness/infection from forced oral sex
- Sleep disturbance (too much/too little)
- Effects of alcohol/date rape drugs, if used in assault
Physical (Delayed onset)
- Pregnancy/abortions (About 14,000 women annually have abortions following rape or incest)
- Gynecological problems: irregularity, heavy and/or painful periods, vaginal discharges
- Bladder/urinary tract infections
- Gastro-intestinal problems: nausea/vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea/constipation
- Eating disturbances (too little/too much, nausea)
- Sleep disturbance (to little/too much)
- Tension headaches
- Somatic complaints (psychological distress that manifests as genuine physical pain)
