What is a gynecological physical exam?
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.
What is a visual pelvic exam?
A pelvic exam is a doctor’s visual and physical examination of a woman’s reproductive organs. During the exam, the doctor inspects the vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes, vulva, ovaries, and uterus. Public and private healthcare providers routinely perform pelvic exams at their offices or clinics.
How is a pelvic exam done during pregnancy?
During a pelvic exam, your doctor inserts two gloved fingers inside your vagina. While simultaneously pressing down on your abdomen, he or she can evaluate your uterus, ovaries and other pelvic organs.
What is a cervical exam during pregnancy?
Late in your pregnancy, your health professional may check the cervix with his or her fingers to see how much it has effaced and dilated. He or she will wear sterile gloves to do this. During labor, contractions in your uterus open (dilate) your cervix. They also help move the baby into position to be born.
How do I prepare for a gynecologist exam?
How to Prepare for a Visit to the Gynecologist
- Don’t schedule your appointment during your period.
- Reconsider pelvic grooming.
- Don’t douche.
- Don’t have sex the night before.
- Keep track of your cycle.
- Bring your medical records.
- Don’t be embarrassed.
- Come prepared with a list of questions.
What’s the difference between a Pap smear and a pelvic exam?
Although not the same, a pelvic exam and a pap smear are both necessary components for a woman’s health, although not for the same reasons. A pelvic exam is more concerned with the health of your vagina and pelvis, while a pap smear looks for abnormal cell changes that may potentially lead to cervical cancer.
Is a pelvic exam painful?
The pelvic exam itself is simple, takes only a few minutes, and is not painful. You may feel a little uncomfortable and embarrassed, but that’s normal.
Why do doctors do cervical checks?
Until recently (and even still today in certain areas), cervical checks were performed routinely at appointments during the end of pregnancy and throughout labor and birth to check the progress of dilation, effacement, and baby’s station.
Can I see my gynecologist on my period?
Yes, it’s totally okay to get a pelvic exam when you’re on your period. But most nurses and doctors would rather do your pelvic exam on a non-period day when you’re not bleeding, or at least not bleeding heavily. That’s because menstrual fluid (aka period blood) can affect the results of some lab tests.
Does speculum break hymen?
Vaginal Exam and the Hymen It’s not a comfortable exam, but if it’s done gently, with a small speculum (which is inserted into the vagina to open it for the pap smear), then it won’t tear your hymen.