Gyno exam

A pelvic exam involves physically and visually examining the female reproductive and sexual organs.

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.

Gyno exam

Crystal M. 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. Once you understand the purpose of the annual well woman exam and what it involves, you will realize that there is nothing to worry or be embarrassed about. The purpose of your routine annual gynecology exam is to allow a health care provider to check your female organs to ensure and maintain good gynecological health. The physical portion of the exam takes about 10 minutes and there is a time before and after the exam to ask and answer any questions you and your health care provider might have. Women should start receiving annual gynecology exams between the ages of 18 and 21, or when they become sexually active. However, if you are experiencing any gynecological symptoms, you should schedule an exam sooner. Such symptoms include irregularities in the menstrual cycle , unusual or severe vaginal or pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge , swelling, tenderness, sores, lumps, or itching, or unusual changes in the breast. When making your first appointment, it is helpful to tell your gynecologist that this is your first gynecological exam. Your health care provider knows that many women feel nervous about gynecology exams, and they will help you to relax and understand the process. It is also perfectly acceptable to have a female family member or friend accompany you during your appointment and, if you would prefer, you can always request an additional nurse chaperone. Otherwise, there is not much you have to do to prepare for a pelvic exam.

Newby, MD Gyno exam S. It might feel a little funny to be lying with your legs opened like this, but everyone feels that way at first.

A pelvic exam is where a doctor or nurse practitioner looks at a girl's reproductive organs both outside and internally. This includes feeling a girl's uterus and ovaries to be sure everything's normal. Teens don't usually get pelvic exams. Sometimes doctors do pelvic exams if they think there's a problem. For example, if a girl complains of heavy bleeding, missed periods, or discharge, the doctor will want to check for a cause.

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. Pederson most common vs the Grave's or Duckbill speculum. Click this link to jump to the pre-exam section of the video. Click this link to jump to the palpation section of the video.

Gyno exam

Last Updated: February 27, References. This article was medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD. This article has been viewed , times.

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Abnormal Findings. Or the cells may be smeared onto a glass slide. A pelvic exam is where a doctor or nurse practitioner looks at a girl's reproductive organs both outside and internally. Your pelvic exam is a good time to talk about your sexual or reproductive health. About Mayo Clinic. The cells are placed in a bottle that contains a solution to preserve them 3. Later, the cells are checked under a microscope. The doctor will want to look at the inside of your vagina. The Internal Exam The doctor will want to look at the inside of your vagina. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Your first pelvic exam can be a bit of a shock, but it helps to remember that each time it gets easier and easier to relax.

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Abraham Verghese Interviews Dr. Once you are comfortable, your gynecologist will ask you to spread your knees apart. Try doing some breathing exercises or focusing on relaxing the vaginal muscles. When palpating, be sure to: o Feel for abdominal masses o Appreciate the liver size o Look for inguinal region for lymphadenopathy-- click here for lymph node exam Click this link to jump to the palpation section of the video. A medical assistant or nurse will give you a robe to wear and a sheet to cover you. What is hypertonic pelvic floor and what are some common symptoms? Your health care provider will manually palpate your breast, feeling for lumps, thickening, or discharge. Learn more here. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. The cell sample has to be sent to a laboratory where it is carefully examined. At this point, try to relax as much as possible.