PELVIC EXAMINATION

A pelvic exam is an examination of the female sex organs. Having this exam may be stressful for many women. This is easy to understand since the area being examined is considered private and the exam can be uncomfortable. Most healthcare providers are aware of this discomfort and will help their patients through it.

Do not schedule the exam when you will be having your period. Do not douche or use vaginal creams or ointments two days prior to the examination. Do not have sexual intercourse one day before the appointment. Be prepared to talk with your provider about any questions or concerns you may have.

If this is your first exam, the office staff and provider will be able to explain the procedure before beginning. Knowing what to expect ahead of time helps to relieve stress. The exam will vary depending on individual needs, but will usually include a breast exam, weight and blood pressure checks, and a Pap smear.

Before the exam, you will be asked to empty your bladder. Clothing is replaced with a gown with a cloth draped over you from the waist down. A special examination table is used that allows you to lie on your back and place your feet on extended supports called stirrups to keep your legs spread apart. A female nurse will help you get into position and stay with you during the exam.

The pelvic exam takes only a few minutes. The pelvic exam will include checking the skin and glands on the outside opening of the birth canal, or vagina. The provider will gently insert a thin, lubricated piece of plastic or metal instrument that looks like a duck bill into your vagina to hold the vaginal walls open for a Pap smear. This opens the vagina just enough to allow light in to see the surface of the skin and the opening of the womb, called the cervix. It is very important to stay relaxed and to breathe slowly and deeply. This will help keep the abdominal muscles relaxed. You may feel a pulling sensation or no sensation at all.

The organs deep within the pelvis are checked next. The examiner will use a lubricated, gloved finger in the vagina and a hand on the abdomen to locate and move these organs. This is done to feel their size and shape and to make sure they are normal. This will feel odd but usually not painful. An exam of the rectum may be performed as another means to check the female organs. This ends the exam.

The healthcare provider will review the findings and may ask questions about sex, birth control, or hormone problems that are related to the results of your exam. Most women should have a well woman's physical examination every year. Doing this will help ensure that changes in a woman's ovaries are diagnosed as early as possible.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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