Why is it important that the patient be relaxed during the pelvic examination?

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For gynecologic care, a woman should choose a health care practitioner with whom she can comfortably discuss sensitive topics, such as sex, birth control, pregnancy, and problems related to menopause. The practitioner may be a doctor, a nurse-midwife, a nurse practitioner, or a physician assistant.

The gynecologic examination refers specifically to examination of a woman's reproductive system. It includes a breast examination. A pelvic examination is done if the woman's circumstances warrant it and the woman wishes it. However, the doctor (or other health care practitioner) may provide more general medical care and do a more general physical examination during the gynecologic visit.

If a woman has any questions or fears about the gynecologic examination, she should talk with the doctor beforehand about her concerns. If any part of the examination causes pain, the woman should let the doctor know. The woman should empty her bladder before the physical examination and may be asked to collect a urine sample for analysis.

The doctor may use a stethoscope to listen for activity of the intestine and to check for abnormal noises made by blood flowing through narrowed blood vessels. The doctor may tap areas of the abdomen with the fingers. The doctor gently feels the entire abdomen to check for abnormal growths or enlarged organs, especially the liver and spleen. Although the woman may experience some discomfort when the doctor presses deeply, the examination should not be painful.

The doctor may also check the groin for a pulse (which is normally present), enlarged lymph nodes, and hernias.

A pelvic examination is done when

• Women have symptoms, such as pelvic pain.

• Screening for cervical cancer or another disorder is needed.

Women should talk with their health care practitioner about whether pelvic examinations need to be done and how often they need to be done.

The pelvic examination includes the following:

• Examination of the rectum (sometimes)

External Female Genital Organs

Internal Female Genital Organs

During the pelvic examination, the woman lies on her back with her hips and knees bent and her buttocks moved to the edge of the examining table. Special pelvic examination tables have heel stirrups that help a woman maintain this position. Usually, a drape is provided, and an assistant is asked to be present to chaperone and sometimes to help with the examination. If a woman wants to observe the pelvic examination, she should tell the doctor, who can provide a mirror. The doctor may explain the examination or review the findings before, during, or after the examination.

Before the pelvic examination begins, the doctor asks the woman to relax her legs and hips and breathe deeply.

For the examination, the doctor first inspects the external genital area and notes the distribution of hair and any abnormalities, discoloration, discharge, or inflammation. This examination may detect no abnormalities or may give clues to hormonal problems, cancer, infections, injury, or sexual abuse.

Collecting Cervical Cells

Doctors use a speculum (a metal or plastic instrument) to spread the walls of the vagina apart. Then they insert a small plastic brush to obtain a sample from the cervix (the lower part of the uterus) for testing.

After removing the speculum from the vagina, the doctor inserts the index and middle fingers of one gloved hand into the vagina and feels the vaginal wall to determine its strength and support. The doctor also feels for growths or tender areas within the vagina.

With the fingers still in the vagina, the doctor then places the fingers of the other hand on the lower abdomen above the pubic bone (called a bimanual examination). Between the two hands, the uterus can usually be felt as a pear-shaped, smooth, firm structure, and its position, size, consistency, and degree of tenderness (if any) can be determined.

Then the doctor attempts to feel the ovaries by moving the hand on the abdomen more to the side and exerting slightly more pressure. More pressure is required because the ovaries are small and much more difficult to feel than the uterus. The woman may find this part of the examination to be slightly uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. The doctor determines how large the ovaries are and whether they are tender.

A rectal examination may be done. The doctor inserts the index finger into the vagina and the middle finger into the rectum to examine the back wall of the vagina for abnormal growths or thickness.

In addition, the doctor can examine the rectum for hemorrhoids, fissures, polyps, and lumps. A small sample of stool can be obtained with a gloved finger and tested for unseen (occult) blood. The woman may be given a take-home kit to test for occult blood in the stool.

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