I would say yes... for me the fear only got worse the longer I put it off. Few thoughts on things that may make it easier...
See if your T can refer you to a gyno who has a reputation with a reputation for working well with women who are timid.
I do better if I have more information so I set up an extra long appointment the first time so that the gyno could explain everything to me and show me everything she was going to do. Then she still had time to go really slow, telling me again exactly what she was going to do and what I could expect to feel before she did anything. She also asked me at every step if we needed to take a break or stop and try it again another time.
I also brought someone with me. For me she was essential. They have you covered so it wasn't embarrassing to have my support person with me. My support person was able to help calm me and manage all the PTSD stuff it kicked up.
I have been OK with them ever since although the last DR I went too was crappy about it.
Oh! another thing that my gyno did that I think was a big help (I was a virgin too) she used a speculum (?) that they use for children so it was smaller and more comfortable.