 |
IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
What to Expect at Your Gynecological Exam
by Dr. Dan, 12.01.98
Most women get nervous when they go in for their first gynecological exam. For some people, just talking about the subject can be embarassing. But it's an important part of staying healthy, and with a skilled health care provider, the physical exam will be quick, painless, and respectful.
It gets easier as you learn to relax your mind and your body. And while the exam may never feel great, it should not hurt, and you can always ask to take a break if you are uncomfortable.
Talking First
The first part of the appointment will be a talk with your health care provider. She or he will ask about your medical history and your sexual activity. It's important to be honest — tell your provider if you've been sexually active, pregnant, or have had any sexually transmitted infections, so that they can give you the right kind of examination based on who you are and what your lifestyle is at that time.
In some ways, this conversation is the most important part of the visit. Each year things change — your body, your lifestyle, and your attitudes. Your health care provider is an excellent source of information for you. If you have concerns about your body, sex, birth control, or anything else, take this opportunity to ask. At Planned Parenthood health centers, these conversations are always confidential. At other centers, ask about confidentiality beforehand.
The Breast and Pelvic Exams
The physical exam usually involves a check of your body from head to toe. Most of it will be just like you're used to — peering in your mouth or listening to your heart and lungs. Next, the clinician will perform a breast exam. She or he will touch each breast, including the nipple, looking for lumps or other evidence of breast cancer. If the person doing the exam is a man, you can ask to have a woman in the room if it would make you feel more comfortable. Ask about how to do a self-examination, so you can get to know your breasts. (If you ever feel anything in your breasts that concerns you during a self-examination, call your clinic right away for an immediate appointment.)
The pelvic exam starts with a quick check of your genitals. The clinician is looking for infections, such as warts or herpes. The touch should be respectful, and you can ask them to let you know when they are ready to touch you.
If you find yourself getting nervous, a couple of techniques can help: Some women find that it helps to make small talk — talk about the weather, a pair of new shoes, whatever it takes to keep your mind occupied. Other women like to close their eyes and focus on the sound of their breath. In and out, in and out — it's like meditation and will relax your body as well as your mind, which can make the entire exam easier.
Going Inside
The next part of the pelvic exam is usually the speculum exam. (If you're a virgin, you usually won't need to have this done. And if you do, it won't affect your virginity.)
The sides of your vagina touch each other, so in order for the clinician to see your cervix and the walls of your vagina, she or he will gently open your vagina using a tool called a speculum. The speculum can be made of metal or plastic. If the speculum is metal, you can ask the clinician to warm it under warm water. You can also ask to see the speculum and learn how it works.
Remember, this part of the exam might feel uncomfortable, but it should never hurt — speak up if it does!
With the speculum inside your vagina, the clinician will check your vagina and your cervix. They're looking for discharge or other signs of infection. They will also collect a few cells from your cervix for a test called a Pap test. To do this, the clinician will collect the cells first with a brush and then with a curved (but not sharp) piece of wood. You may feel crampy and uncomfortable for a moment when the brush touches your cervix, but it will take just a few seconds. The cells will be checked at a laboratory for evidence of cancer. This part of the exam is very important because your clinician can not only see if you have cervical cancer now, but also, sometimes, whether you need to be treated to prevent you from getting cancer in the future.
The last part of the exam is called the "bimanual" exam. The clinician will insert two fingers into your vagina and place one hand on your belly. By gently moving their hands together, they will be able to feel to your uterus and ovaries. Again, the main reason for this is to make sure you don't have an infection or cancer. This part of the exam may be uncomfortable, but like the other procedures, it shouldn't hurt.
It's Worth It
Every sexually active woman should have periodic gynecological exams. During the exam, the clinician can find problems that you don't even know you have, and when they're treated early, most problems can be cured completely. Although you may find the exams unpleasant at first, if you can stay relaxed it should not hurt.
Make sure you know your clinic's phone number, so if you ever have a problem or a question, you have a trusted professional to give you the answers you need. If you don't have a doctor, you can call Planned Parenthood at 1-800-230-PLAN. |
|
|
|
Printable Version
Email this page