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The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina (vaginal canal) make up the female reproductive system.
A pelvic exam checks the health of the reproductive organs. You might have a pelvic exam as part of your regular checkup. Not everyone needs the exam every year though. Some doctors recommend it only for certain reasons, such as having discharge from the vagina, pelvic pain or other symptoms.
A pelvic exam often lasts only a few minutes. Your doctor or other care provider checks your vulva, vagina, cervix, ovaries, uterus, rectum and pelvis for any unusual changes. A Pap test, which screens for cervical cancer, is often done during a pelvic exam.
You might need a pelvic exam:
To check your sexual and reproductive health. A pelvic exam can be part of a routine physical exam. 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. Your doctor might recommend routine pelvic exams if you have a history of any conditions that affect the reproductive system.
There is a lot of debate among experts about how often to recommend pelvic exams, especially for people who aren't pregnant and don't have symptoms. Ask your care team what's right for you.
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You don't need to do anything special to prepare for a pelvic exam. For your own comfort, you might want to schedule your pelvic exam on a day when you don't have your period. Also, you might be more comfortable if you empty your bladder before the exam.
Think about writing down any questions you have about the exam or its possible results. Take these with you to the appointment so you don't forget to ask them.
A pelvic exam is done in your doctor's office. It often takes only a few minutes.
You'll be asked to change out of your clothes and into a gown. You might be given a sheet to wrap around your waist for more privacy. Before doing the pelvic exam, your doctor might listen to your heart and lungs. Your stomach area, back and breasts also might be checked.
A third person called a chaperone might be in the exam room with you and your doctor. This person is often a nurse or a medical assistant. You can ask for a chaperone if you aren't given one. Or you could have a partner, friend or relative stay in the room with you.
During a pelvic exam, a doctor inserts one or two gloved fingers inside the vagina. Pressing down on the abdomen at the same time, the doctor can check the uterus, ovaries and other organs.
During a Pap test, a tool called a speculum holds the vaginal walls apart. A sample of cells from the cervix is collected using a soft brush and a flat scraping device called a spatula (1 and 2). The cells are placed in a bottle that contains a solution to preserve them (3). Or the cells may be smeared onto a glass slide. Later, the cells are checked under a microscope.
You'll lie on your back on an exam table with your knees bent. Your feet will usually be placed on the corners of the table or in supports called stirrups. You'll likely be asked to slide your body toward the end of the table and let your knees fall open.
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A pelvic exam most often includes:
Internal visual exam. Next, your doctor will likely use a plastic or metal-hinged tool called a speculum to spread open the walls of the vagina. This allows your doctor to see the vagina and cervix. The speculum is shaped like a duck's bill. It might be warmed before it's inserted to make it more comfortable for you.
The speculum can cause pressure that might feel uncomfortable. Try to relax as much as possible to ease discomfort. But speak up right away if you have pain. Your doctor can stop the exam and talk with you about any concerns you have.
Physical exam. The pelvic organs, including the uterus and ovaries, can't be seen from outside the body. Your doctor needs to feel your stomach area and pelvis for this part of the exam. The doctor inserts one or two lubricated, gloved fingers into your vagina with one hand. At the same time, the other hand presses gently on the outside of your lower belly.
During this part of the exam, the size and shape of the uterus and ovaries are checked. Any tender areas or unusual growths are noted. After the vaginal exam, your doctor might insert a gloved finger into your rectum. This is done to check for tenderness, growths or other unusual signs.
At each step of the pelvic exam, your doctor tells you exactly what's being done. That way, nothing comes as a surprise to you.
After the pelvic exam is over, you can get dressed. Then your doctor will talk with you about the results of your exam.
Your doctor often can tell you right away if the pelvic exam found anything unusual. Pap test results might take a few days. You'll likely talk about any next steps, other tests, appointments or treatment that you need.
Your pelvic exam is a good time to talk about your sexual or reproductive health. If you have questions, be sure to ask them during your visit.
You don&#;t have to do anything special to get ready for a pelvic exam. When you arrive at the office, your healthcare provider may ask if you need to use the bathroom. Sometimes, they order a urine sample. If this applies to you, your provider may ask you to pee into a cup in the bathroom before the exam.
If you&#;re on your period on the day of the exam, your healthcare provider may suggest rescheduling for your comfort. Contact your provider&#;s office and let them know if you&#;re on your period and they can let you know what they recommend.
It&#;s generally a good idea to avoid inserting anything inside your vagina for 24 hours prior to the pelvic exam. This includes avoiding intercourse or using vaginal products like creams or tampons. It&#;s possible that these can affect the exam or make the exam uncomfortable.
Your first pelvic exam may bring some anxiety simply because you don&#;t know what to expect.
The first thing you should do is make sure your healthcare provider is someone you trust and feel comfortable with. When you call to schedule your exam, let them know that it&#;s your first gynecological visit. Some people feel more comfortable having a female healthcare provider, for example. You&#;re allowed to choose what healthcare provider performs your exam.
When you go to your appointment, remind them again that this is your first time. Most healthcare providers will take extra care to ensure you understand what they&#;re doing during the exam and that you feel comfortable.
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A pelvic exam usually takes about 10 minutes.
You can expect to feel a little discomfort, but you shouldn&#;t feel pain during a pelvic exam. Take slow, deep breaths and pee before the exam. If you feel pain or discomfort during your exam, tell your healthcare provider.
It can also help to talk to your provider about your worries or concerns that the pelvic exam might be painful before your exam starts. They can walk you through the process and address your concerns.
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It&#;s normal to feel a little nervous prior to a pelvic exam. It can help to:
Your provider may ask for your permission before touching you. You can also ask your provider to tell you before they touch you and to explain which areas they will touch.
If you have experienced sexual trauma, speak with your healthcare provider before the exam begins so that they can be supportive of your feelings and make your exam as comfortable as possible. Know that you can stop the exam at any time if you want to.
When it&#;s time for your pelvic exam, your provider will start by getting your health history and asking you about any symptoms you&#;re having or if you have any concerns. A gynecological visit is about more than just the physical exam &#; it&#;s also about your overall health, educating yourself on your body and asking questions. It&#;s within your power to use this time to discuss your body and your sexual health with your provider.
After talking with you for a bit, your provider will give you a gown and sheet (the sheet is sometimes made of heavy paper). Once they leave the room, you&#;ll undress in private and change into the gown. Once you&#;re in a gown and your lap is covered by the sheet, you&#;ll lie back on the exam table and slide your hips down to the edge of the table. You&#;ll place your feet in holders called stirrups. Let your knees fall outwards like the letter V. Try to relax your legs, butt and abdominal muscles as much as you can.
There are a few different parts to a pelvic exam. Your healthcare provider typically tells you exactly what they&#;re going to do before they do it. There may be a chaperone in the room. If there isn&#;t a nurse or other healthcare professional in the room and you would like there to be, you can ask for one. A friend, partner or family member can also accompany you.
A pelvic exam may include:
Your provider may also listen to your heart and lungs and perform a breast examination.
Remember, not all pelvic exams include Pap tests. Your provider will tell you when this is necessary.
Pelvic exams are a way for your provider to assess your overall reproductive health. Some of the main conditions a pelvic exam helps check for include:
A pelvic exam can also be a helpful tool to find what&#;s causing symptoms like irregular vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain.
You might have light bleeding after a pelvic exam, but it should only last a few hours. Mild cramping may occur, but it shouldn&#;t be painful or last longer than a few hours. If you feel severe cramping or pain, contact your healthcare provider.
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