You will lie on an exam table with your legs spread and your feet on footrests called stirrups. First, your doctor will visually inspect your vagina and vulva. Your doctor may be looking for redness, irritation, discharge, cysts, or something that indicates a sexually transmitted disease, such as sores. Next, the doctor will insert an instrument known as a speculum into the vagina.
The speculum is a stainless steel or plastic device that resembles a duckbill. Women should breathe deeply and try to relax their vaginal, rectal, and abdominal muscles during insertion. Sometimes doctors will warm up the speculum beforehand. The doctor may swipe the cervix, before removing the speculum, with something that looks like a small spatula. The spatula gathers cells for later examination. This procedure is known as a Pap smear. By looking at the cells, your doctor can diagnose conditions such as cancer and sexually transmitted diseases.
Your doctor will also manually inspect your internal reproductive and sexual organs. To do this, your doctor will put on lubricated gloves and insert two fingers into your vagina while using the other hand to feel your abdomen.
This manual exam looks for irregularities in the uterus or ovaries. During this procedure, your doctor will be able to determine the size of your uterus. They can possibly check for pregnancy, as well as any abnormalities of the fallopian tubes. Finally, your doctor may perform a rectal examination. Shower as normal, but avoid using any harsh soaps or scented lotions.
Everything from a decreased libido and sleep disturbances to weight issues and painful sex will give your doctor a more complete picture of your health as you age, and ensure that you get the personalized and appropriate care you deserve. Our Expert's Blog. Share this page:. For Women Ages -- If you are done having kids, have gone through menopause, or have been in a monogamous relationship for many years, you may be questioning the need for gynecological and pelvic exams after age Find a Blog.
You may also be interested in Visitor Restrictions. A visitor policy is in effect due to more restrictive measures being taken throughout the Bay Area. Some of these questions will be quite personal in nature but it is important that you answer honestly. Do not let shyness be a health risk. You should have complete confidence that what you say is kept confidential. Your annual gynecological exam is also a time for you to ask any questions that you may have.
There are no wrong questions to ask when it comes to your personal health and the more knowledge you have about your body, the more confidence you can have about taking care of it. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Newby married her fellow Kansas native high school sweetheart and they have 3 daughters. Kansas City ObGyn W. Arroyo, MD Crystal M. Newby, MD Meghan A.
Nichols, MD Emily S. Minderman, MD J. Connect With Us. Newby, MD The thought of having your first gynecology exam might be nerve wracking, but it is a straightforward and quick procedure that is an important part of maintaining your overall health. Before Your Well Woman Exam Women should start receiving annual gynecology exams between the ages of 18 and 21, or when they become sexually active.
What the Gynecological Exam Includes The physical exam includes a urine sample, an external and internal pelvic exam, pap smear, and a breast exam.
Pelvic Exam The pelvic exam in your gynecological exam is comprised of four main steps: the external genital exam, the speculum exam, the Pap Smear test and the bimanual exam. Topics will include: normal development of sex organs positive habits like balanced nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding cigarette smoking preventing sexually transmitted infections STIs services related to birth control, STI testing, and HPV vaccination ACOG recommends that pelvic exams, including a Pap smear, start at age 21, whether or not a woman has become sexually active.
Preparing for your exam Ideally, when a Pap smear is to be performed, try to schedule your annual exam when you are not having your period. Questions to ask your Provider Any health-related question is fair game. Those include: pelvic pain or bloating missed periods abnormal bleeding, including heavy periods, bleeding in between periods, or bleeding after sex painful intercourse unusual vaginal discharge vulvar changes problems moving bowels or passing urine menopausal symptoms any breast concerns, such as pain, lumps, puckering, or nipple discharge Regular tests Screening tests are designed to detect hidden disease in otherwise healthy people.
In general, the following screenings are recommended: Chlamydia and gonorrhea. If left untreated, these STIs can lead to serious complications like pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and chronic pain. Annual testing is recommended for sexually active women under the age of Women ages 25 and older may also benefit from testing if they have multiple partners, a new partner, exposure concerns, or have recently been diagnosed with another STI.
HIV testing. This test should be done at least once during your lifetime. However, your provider should check for risk factors annually that could warrant repeat testing. Likewise, screening for other STIs like syphilis, trichomonas, herpes simplex virus, and hepatitis should be based on risk factors. Hepatitis C testing. This one-time testing is recommended for women who were born anytime from through and who are unaware of their infection status.
Pap smear. This cervical cancer screening should be performed every 3 years in women ages 21 to In women who are 30 and older, co-testing of Pap smear and human papilloma virus HPV is recommended every 5 years. Clinical breast exam. A breast exam by a health care provider is recommended every 1 to 3 years beginning at age
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