Gyno exam

Crystal M. Newby, MD. The thought of having your first gynecology exam might be nerve gyno exam, but it is a straightforward and quick procedure that is an important part of maintaining your overall health.

The pelvic exam is a vital part of every woman's preventative care and is also important towards making a number of diagnoses when presenting with abdominal or pelvic complaints. Here we cover each aspect of the pelvic exam and demonstrate both in text and in our video how this done. The main equipment you will use is the speculum so it's important for you to understand the most commonly used types. These include the:. Example of a Grave's or Duckbill speculum which is a little wider, often used for prodecures. Image credit.

Gyno exam

A pelvic exam involves physically and visually examining the female reproductive and sexual organs. It allows a doctor to look for signs of infection and illness. They will examine the:. Doctors often perform pelvic exams to check for sexually transmitted infections STIs , yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis. A pelvic exam is often performed on the same day as other preventive screenings — a breast examination and a Pap smear. The purpose of a breast exam is to look for abnormalities and other signs of cancers that begin in the breast tissue. Pap smears can show signs of cancer and precancer of the cervix. A person does not need to do anything before a pelvic exam. They can simply attend their appointment. The doctor or nurse will usually ask if the person needs to use the bathroom, to help them feel more comfortable during the exam and so that they can be examined without distractions.

During gyno exam time, it is still a good idea to have a yearly pelvic exam. Financial Assistance Documents — Arizona. No one loves the exam, but having a doctor or nurse practitioner you trust can really help.

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.

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. There are no specific guidelines for how often a woman should have a pelvic exam, but it is often recommended to have one once a year. Depending on your medical history, a doctor may suggest that you have them more frequently. Women should have their first pelvic exam at age 21 unless other health issues require it earlier. Often the first pelvic exam is when a young woman goes to seek birth control. Women over the age of 21 should receive regular pelvic exams, similar to general checkups. However, special reasons for having a pelvic exam include:. Schedule your pelvic exam for a date when you will not be on your period. However, if you have a menstrual issue you are concerned about, your doctor may suggest an examination during your period.

Gyno exam

Last Updated: February 27, References. This article was medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD. This article has been viewed , times. Experts agree that regular gynecological exams are a crucial way for people assigned female at birth to maintain good health though they disagree on how frequently they're needed, so discuss that with your health care provider. Research has shown that these exams can detect health issues such as ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, sexually transmitted infections, and even cancer.

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The doctor will put on gloves and examine the outside of your vagina to make sure that there are no sores or swelling and that everything looks OK on the outside. What is hypertonic pelvic floor and what are some common symptoms? Urine is used to check for kidney health, various infections, and pregnancy. The doctor or nurse will need to feel them to be sure they're the right size and free of cysts or other growths. The speculum is shaped like a duck's bill. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? The doctor or nurse will slide the speculum out as soon as the exam is done. Rest assured that if you have requested the company of a friend or family member or chaperone, that they will be asked to stand at a location that preserves your personal privacy. After the vaginal exam, your doctor might insert a gloved finger into your rectum. Pelvic exam During a pelvic exam, a doctor inserts one or two gloved fingers inside the vagina. This patient presents with chest pain.

Before you walk into the clinic and open your legs to a world of stirrups and Pap smears, put your anxiety aside and relax with this step-by-step gynecology exam guide that will help you take control of your body and your health as a woman. Georges Sylvestre , board certified in obstetrics and gynecology in New York, maternal-fetal medicine and assistant professor, Weill Cornell Medical College, told Medical Daily in an email. Sara Mornar , obstetrician and gynecologist in Texas, tells Medical Daily women should be prepared to share their medical background and menstrual and contraceptive information with their doctor.

Pap Smear A Pap Smear checks for precancerous or cancerous cells. Or you could have a partner, friend or relative stay in the room with you. What is rhinophyma? Take these with you to the appointment so you don't forget to ask them. Pap test During a Pap test, a tool called a speculum holds the vaginal walls apart. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Note: a little bleeding especially if patient nulliparous after a pap smear is expected. You should have complete confidence that what you say is kept confidential. You don't need to do anything special to prepare for a pelvic exam. A third person called a chaperone might be in the exam room with you and your doctor. Financial Assistance Documents — Minnesota. The cells are placed in a bottle that contains a solution to preserve them 3.