During a pelvic exam, a doctor or other care provider inserts two gloved fingers inside the vagina and presses down on the stomach area. This is done to check the uterus, ovaries and other organs.
With the thumb on the perineum and the index finger in the vaginal opening, the labia can be palpated for lumps, tumors, pain, or lymphadenopathy. Examination of the labia minora should include inspection of the folds of the labia, their symmetry, changes from prior examinations, and presence of lacerations.
A pelvic exam is a routine and common physical exam used to check for signs of disease in female organs. A healthcare provider will check the vagina, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix. During a pelvic exam, the healthcare provider may do a Pap smear to test for cancer.
There is nothing wrong with you. Your body's natural response of lubrication in this particular case has nothing to do with whether you are aroused by your doctor or the examination itself. Also, some women lubricate more than others and that is normal too.
During a pelvic exam, a doctor or nurse checks your vulva and your inside reproductive organs — your vagina, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. Using a speculum is one part of a pelvic exam — it's an instrument that gently opens your vagina so the doctor can see inside.
Most girls won't get an internal pelvic exam. These are recommended starting at age 21 for healthy women. But a girl who has problems like heavy bleeding, painful periods, or unusual vaginal discharge might need a pelvic exam sooner.
It's human reflex to tighten up when we're anticipating that something—like a pelvic exam—will hurt. But when our pelvic floor muscles contract and tighten, it can lead to more pain during the exam. A way to prevent this pain is to 'bear down' during the early part of the internal exam.
You can call your doctor ahead of time to find out if your boyfriend (or anybody else) can accompany you. For a number of reasons, however, it's unlikely that he'll be allowed to be with you. It might make you feel a little better to read up on what a pelvic exam consists of and what it will probably feel like.
A pelvic exam is not generally painful, but it can feel uncomfortable or awkward, particularly if you are not familiar with the procedure. If at any point you do experience pain, inform your provider.
A typical pelvic exam only lasts a few minutes. You undress below the waist and cover your lower body with a sheet or gown. You lie down on the exam table with your legs raised in foot rests or leg rests called stirrups.
You can also stop an examination you no longer want to continue, such as a Pap smear or STI screening. Tell your care provider to stop or slow down; request a five-minute break; or reschedule the exam for another day. If a patient feels coerced into agreeing to a procedure, it's not true consent.
You should avoid some things beforehand. Two days before your Pap test, avoid intercourse, vaginal creams, suppositories, medicine and douches, as these may obscure abnormal cells. Should you groom or not groom? However you take care of your body, you should keep doing it.
Ask you to lie on your back and relax. Press down on areas of the lower stomach to feel the organs from the outside. Help you get in position for the speculum exam. (You may be asked to slide down to the end of the table.)
Traditionally pelvic examination has been performed in the dorsal lithotomy position to facilitate access to the perineum and to adduct the thighs for bimanual examination [3].
It's totally normal for women to experience a little bit of discomfort following a pelvic exam, especially if it's their first one. It's also common for women after a pap test to have mild cramping and/or light bleeding for a couple of days after a pap test (smear).
The patient should be placed on an examining table with her shod feet in stirrups and her comfort ascertained. Always instruct the patient to void before the examination is done. The physician should assure the patient that the pelvic examination will be done as gently as possible.
1) Get an Annual Pelvic Exam
During a pelvic exam, your gynecologist will feel your ovaries. Enlarged ovaries or pain in the pelvis can suggest potential ovarian tumors.
Why does a speculum hurt so much? Pain may be a sign that your muscles are overly tense or that you have a condition that's making the experience painful. To prevent pain, communicate your concerns and relevant health information to your provider. Let them know at any point if you're experiencing pain.
Pelvic ultrasound
Don't urinate (pee) before your ultrasound. Having a full bladder will make it easier to see your uterus and ovaries. If close-up views of the lining of your uterus and your ovaries are needed, you may have a transvaginal ultrasound after your pelvic ultrasound.
Your healthcare provider will be able to perform the test regardless of whether or not you have hair in the area. However, if you prefer to shave or trim your pubic hair, you can do so if it makes you feel more comfortable.
Yes. Most health care providers permit patients to bring a friend or family member into the exam room with them. However, it's a good idea to call ahead and ask your health care provider if this is okay with her or him.
A pelvic examination under general anaesthetic is a safe procedure, but your nurse will tell you who to contact if you have any problems after your test. Your doctor makes sure the benefits of having a pelvic examination under general anaesthetic outweigh any possible risks.
It can find any signs of ovarian cysts, some sexually transmitted infections, growths of the uterus or early-stage cancer. The exam also is commonly done during pregnancy at the first prenatal care visit.
Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol an hour before the exam to reduce discomfort. Deep breathing can help you stay calm and relax your pelvic muscles. If you feel pain, tell your doctor.