Pelvic examination

Why?!

You must have gone through often medical tests whether it be for routine check-ups or for a health certificate. All the rest of the examination such as body weight measurement or blood test all makes sense. But why does the doctor need to feel my privates? It is so embarrassing! Also, if it is the first time you go for the test it feels so scary to have someone look and feel you there! Actually it is nothing and it is only a routine test all women undergo.

There are some important things the doctor checks out by pelvic examinations:

• If there is any gynecologic complications
• To screen for STDs
• Menstrual bleeding problems, missed periods, pain, worries about development all ask for pelvic examination.
• If you are sexually active or are considering having sex, it is good to get yourself checked.

What to expect:

• You are asked to fill up a form with all your medical details, whether you are sexually active, when was your last period etc. Provide all the details honestly; this test is for your safety and wellness.
• You have a choice to have yourself checked by a male doctor or a female. You can ask for someone (any adult, parent, or elder) to accompany you during the examination as well.
• You will have to undress completely and wear a paper gown and lie down.
• First they will give you a breast examination. Also show you how to self examine your breasts.
• Next, you will be asked to move down to put your behind near the edge of the table, bend your knees, and put your feet on the two stirrups. This position is to help you to be more comfortable.
• They will examine the outside of your vagina for any swelling or sores.
• Next the doctor will look inside your vagina with the help of a speculum and a torch to see if there are any sores, discharge, or inflammations. He or she then does a Pap smear to take some tissue from the cervix for examining whether there is any infection or possibility of cervical cancer. This does not hurt at all.
• To check out your uterus and ovaries, the doctor needs to feel your inside. For that he will use some lubricant on his gloves and slide his finger inside your vagina. By pressing your lower abdomen with the other hand he or she will feel whether your ovaries and uterus are of the right size and formation and are free of cysts and other growths. You may feel some pressure but no pain is felt.

Note:

• The whole test takes only a few minutes.
• Always choose a doctor who will make you feel comfortable during the examination. Try to relax as much as possible. If you are nervous or tensed, the muscles on the vaginal wall start to contract making the examination difficult.
• Do not forget to ask any questions you have about your body with the examiner. Especially if you want to get into a sexual relationship or you are into it.
• To get the result of the test and the pap smear, it takes about a month. The test results are kept confidential. You can receive the results in person or they can be mailed to you in a white envelop without any indication from where it is coming.
• The doctors treat the teenagers with a lot of respect. Also there is a female nurse all the time in the room during the examination. Still, it might be a good idea to have someone you trust in the room to make you feel comfortable and also for insurance purposes.
• If anything made you feel uneasy about the whole test, follow your intuition and do what is required the next time.

Compiled by: Indrajit Sinha; Last updated: 08.11.07 © Medhospital Foundation

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