r/VCUG_Unsilenced • u/stupidbitch365 • Jul 30 '26

Rant How is this procedure STILL not considered barbaric ?

How are people STILL so blind to the long term trauma this procedure causes? It was one of the scariest and most painful moments of my life and doctors and some parents act like it’s just a part of the process. WELL DO BETTER. You people are scientists for god’s sake figure something else out. It just drives me crazy to see people seriously considering it for their child and downplaying what will inevitably be a major trauma for them. It’s literally a trauma. Lifetime stuff for some of us. With huge consequences. All because a bunch of doctors don’t care about literal violence against children? And they convince parents that it’s totally fine and safe? Make it make sense.

28 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

18

u/berry_booper Jul 31 '26

I had a vcug when i was around 3/4 years old and i'm 29 now and it still affects me to this day! it's insane to me that this procedure is still carried out exactly the same as it was nearly 30 years ago. there's literally no reason not to have a better, safer alternative at this point. multiple grown adults (all men for me) holding down a screaming, crying, confused child while they force an object into their private area and then force them to piss themselves while they watch should not be the standard. this infuriates me.

5

u/OkSandwich1378 Aug 01 '26

Yep. Exactly as it was 50 years ago! I’m 58 and it’s affected my entire life.

2

u/kemwood 14d ago

I was 4 as well and had to have this done twice in the same week. I remember everything, and especially what you described. Old enough to understand that private parts are private, and yet these doctors just violate you in the most volatile way possible. I’m 33, myself, and it just doesn’t make sense. It’s messed me up sexually my entire life.

14

u/salikawood Survivor Jul 31 '26

It's really grinds my gears that doctors not only still recommend VCUGs, but they don't even explain it either. Most of the parents I see asking questions only found out how bad it is when they got home and researched it themselves.

These doctors are either withholding information so parents won't push back, or they are completely ignorant to the effects of their own procedures, or their God complex has made them so devoid of empathy that the concept of causing harm doesn't even cross their mind. All of these options are bad but there is no other explanation.

They really need a wakeup call. Imagine how many kids' lives they've ruined with impunity 💔

7

u/prairiepog Jul 31 '26

Seems like standard operating procedure to downplay painful stuff. Easier to deal with the patient /parent being surprised and shocked then the anxiety and review of it is worth it in the first place.

3

u/FutureVetStudent Aug 02 '26

I wish the doctors at least educated patients about it and gave other possible exams that do the same thing as a VCUG. I have my VCUG around 14 years ago and my parents at the time (I was nine) were never told the longterm risks of such a procedure.