Every woman should schedule an annual pelvic exam; it is recommended to keep your reproductive organs healthy. This test helps to check the health of all sexual or reproductive organs in the body and detect conditions or problems early when they can be easily treated. To understand the importance of annual pelvic exams for women’s health, read these FAQs. Visit Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center and consult with the best Women’s health specialist in New York.

Understanding Annual Pelvic Exams

These FAQs will help you understand the importance of annual pelvic exams for women’s health.

1. What is a wellness annual pelvic exam?

Ans. This exam is very essential for women because it helps them to monitor and keep their reproductive system healthy. It is performed by a medical provider who is trained in gynecology, the medical specialty for women’s reproductive health. The benefits of yearly visits can extend beyond a Pap smear.

Gynecologists are trained professionals who care for women from adolescence through older age and understand women’s changing healthcare needs. These providers can also include gynecology physicians, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, or physician assistants.

During this exam, healthcare providers examine the health of reproductive parts including – the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and bladder. It is a fast and safe way to make sure everything is good, and there are no signs of problems. While these exams happen annually, they can be recommended based on your health history and your symptoms. You can discuss with your provider how often you need a pelvic exam.

• When do you need a pelvic exam?

Ans. These exams are a part of routine healthcare, which is usually performed annually just to ensure your reproductive organs are healthy and have no signs of problems. It also helps to find the cause of symptoms like pelvic pain or vaginal bleeding. Generally, your first pelvic exam will be performed by age 21 and after that, it becomes a part of regular preventive care routine and you receive them every year or every few years based on your age, health risks, and other factors.

Your healthcare provider may recommend a pelvic exam for the following reasons:

• Having a family history of ovarian or cervical cancer.
• History of human papillomavirus (HPV) or abnormal Pap test results.
• Pelvic pain or pain during sex.
• Unusual vaginal discharge.
• Irregular bleeding or bleeding while you’re not on your period.
• Checking for issues like uterine fibroids or ovarian cysts.
• Having issues about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or other uterine infections.
• Pregnancy.
• Checking for the fit of an intrauterine device (IUD).

• How to prepare and what to expect during your annual pelvic exam?

Ans. For your first pelvic exam, you may be nervous because you don’t know what to expect. To lower nervousness, make sure your healthcare provider is someone you can trust and feel comfortable with. When they call you for scheduling, you can ask them to have a female healthcare provider perform the exam. Usually, you don’t need to prepare anything for the exam. However, to be comfortable, you may want to schedule the exam when you don’t have your period. Additionally, empty your bladder before the exam. You can also write down the questions you have in your mind about the exam and possible results, so that you can discuss them with your healthcare provider to feel comfortable.

During the exam, your doctor asks you to change your clothes and wear a hospital gown. You may be given a sheet to wrap around your waist. Before the pelvic exam, your doctor may listen to your heart and lungs. Your stomach area, back, and breasts are also checked. A third person called a chaperone may be in the exam room with you and your doctor. This person can be a nurse or a medical assistant. You can even ask for a chaperone if they aren’t there or ask your partner, friend, or relative to stay in the room with you.

For the exam, you need to lie on your back on the exam table with your knees bent and feet placed on the corners of the table and in supports called stirrups. These help you keep your legs in place. A pelvic exam usually includes:

• External visual exam: First, your doctor checks your vulva for unusual signs like irritation, changes in skin color, sores, and swelling.
• Internal visual exam: Next, your doctor will use a plastic or metal-hinged tool called a speculum to open the walls of the vagina. This allows your doctor to see the vagina and cervix to check them. This device may feel warm when inserted to ensure it is comfortable for you. But when it causes pressure, it may feel uncomfortable. So, try to stay relaxed as much as possible. However, speak up if you feel pain. So, the doctor can stop the exam and talk to you about the concerns you have.
• Pap exam: During the pelvic exam, this exam was also included. When the doctor checks the vagina and cervix, they use a thin wand to collect a sample of cells from the cervix and a fluid sample from the vagina.
• Physical exam: The pelvic organs like the uterus and ovaries can’t be seen from outside the body. Your doctor needs to feel your stomach area and pelvis during the exam to check them. The doctor may insert lubricated, gloved fingers into your vagina with one hand while using the other hand to press gently on the outside of your lower belly to check the size and shape of the uterus and ovaries. They look for any tender areas or unusual growths. After the vaginal exam, your doctor may insert a gloved finger into the rectum to check for tenderness, growth, or other unusual signs.

Your doctor will tell you what exactly is being done so that nothing comes as a surprise to you. Sometimes, a pap test is not included unless necessary. The whole pelvic exam will take about 10 minutes.

After the exam, you can get dressed and talk with your doctor about the results. You may experience some light bleeding for some hours. Mild cramps may also occur, but they won’t be painful or last longer than a few hours. If you feel severe cramping or pain, then talk to your healthcare provider.

• What do the results mean?

Ans. Usually, your doctor tells you your results right away if the pelvic exam found something unusual. Pap test results may take some days to come. Your doctor may discuss the next steps, tests, or treatment you may need to manage or cure the issue. It is also a suitable time to discuss your concerns about the exam, sexual or reproductive health, birth control options, or anything else.

• What are the benefits and risks of annual pelvic exams?

Ans. A pelvic exam offers many benefits, including:

• Helps to detect certain conditions like infections or cancer early when you can get the necessary treatment to manage or cure them.
• Find the cause of your irregular symptoms like vaginal bleeding or pain.
• A better understanding of your body.
• Peace of mind about your sexual and reproductive health.

Generally, pelvic exams are very safe and effective. That’s why it is recommended annually to detect problems with your pelvic organs. Some women may experience fear, anxiety, embarrassment, pain, or discomfort the first time, but after that it becomes normal. During that time, your OB-GYN helps you & reassures you about the test and talks about your feelings to make you as comfortable as possible.

Annual pelvic exams are a good preventive care exam to keep your sexual and reproductive organs healthy and detect certain problems earlier to treat them. This exam is performed based on your symptoms and medical history. It is risk-free and helps you to be reassured about your sexual and reproductive health. You can also discuss any concerns about sexual health with your provider during this time.

If you need any help with sexual health problems, visit our gynecology clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!! Log on to  www.doralhw.org or visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212 to book an appointment.  At Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center, we have the best GYN doctor in Brooklyn, and we provide women with quality health care services. You can also visit our website at https://doralhw.org/department/gynecology/