Gynecologist Visit

The Pelvic Exam and What To Expect...

A woman should have a pelvic exam every year beginning when she starts having sexual intercourse, or when she turns 18 - whichever comes first. Pelvic exams are important to protect your health, and they provide an opportunity to talk about your reproductive health.

The exam will (or should) include a confidential medical history, including family history of disease, your sexual history, medications you take, and questions about activities you participate in. Be honest - this is a medical professional. If you have any questions about confidentiality - ask him or her about them.

Next, the health care provider will often check your eyes, nose, throat, and breasts, then ask you to lie back and put your feet up in stirrups.

Relax!

Ask the provider to explain what he or she is doing, and ask for a mirror if you want to watch. The health care provider will insert a speculum into your vagina and open it so he or she can see inside your vagina. It should not hurt - try to relax if it is uncomfortable. The health care provider will look for any signs of a problem - discharge, redness, irritation, etc… and will use a swab to get some cells from your cervix. This swab will be used to do a Pap Test - to check for cancer. The cells are looked at under a microscope for pre-cancerous cells.

This test is not used to check for sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) unless the health care provider orders special tests.

After the provider takes out the speculum, he or she will usually add some lubrication to his or her glove and then insert one or two fingers into your vagina, while pressing on your abdomen. The provider will feel around for your ovaries, noting the size and shape of them. Sometimes, they may check your rectum, as well.

A doctor or nurse practitioner can do this exam, or a gynecologist. If you do not have insurance, call Planned Parenthood, or a local health clinic, which will usually provide pelvic exams at a low cost.
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