January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. The entire month is dedicated to ensuring that women are not only educated about the importance of cervical health, but also that they go to their gynecologists for checkups on a regular schedule.

Pelvic Exams

A pelvic exam should be an integral part of every adult woman’s schedule of medical care. During a pelvic exam, the entire pelvic area of your body is examined. The doctor will observe your:

• Vulva—your outer sex organs
• Vagina—the passageway that connects your vulva with your cervix and ultimately your uterus
• Cervix—the slender lower portion of the uterus that connects to the vagina
• Ovaries—the two organs in your body that house eggs for reproduction, as well as female hormones
• Fallopian tubes—one of the tubes that eggs travel through from the ovary to the uterus during reproduction
• Uterus—the reproductive organ in a woman’s body that facilitates menstruation, commonly referred to as the womb

The exam will only take a few minutes and will allow your doctor to assess your sexual and reproductive health.

Health Factors a Pelvic Exam Verifies

• Existence of cervix or uterine cancer
• Proper condition of the uterus and reproductive system
• Cysts or non-cancerous tumors that may be present in your reproductive system
• Infections that may be present in the reproductive system

Proper Schedule for a Pelvic Exam

It is vital to have a pelvic exam performed at recommended intervals. Your first pelvic exam should come three years after you first have intercourse or by the age of 21, whichever comes first. Thereafter it is recommended that a woman undergo a pelvic exam every two years. If you have several consecutive pelvic exams that do not produce any abnormal results, then you can talk to your doctor about extending your exams to every three years. It is necessary for a woman to undergo a pelvic exam on a regular schedule even after she has gone through menopause, as the tests verify more than reproductive health.

What Exactly Is a Pelvic Exam?

A pelvic exam will have several portions. Each portion is intended to provide a thorough diagnosis of your sexual and reproductive health.

• Pap Test Often called a Pap smear, this test is used to screen for cervical cancer. Once positioned, the doctor will take a sample of cells from your cervix, using a medical instrument called a cervical brush. The cells will then be tested for abnormalities. Not all abnormalities mean that you have cervical cancer; often further testing will produce a non-cancerous diagnosis that can be treated. According to the National Cancer Institute only about 6% of Pap tests produce abnormal results. A Pap test is often considered to be its own independent test and is not part of your actual pelvic exam; however, they are often performed at the same time for your convenience.
• External Exam Your doctor will inspect your vulva and the opening of your vagina visually for any possible cysts, discharge, or otherwise abnormal occurrences.
• Speculum Exam A speculum is a medical tool that is used to separate the walls of your vagina. The doctor will use this tool to allow a sample to be taken for your Pap test. During this portion of the exam, your doctor will visually inspect your vagina and cervix.
• Bimanual Exam During this portion of the pelvic exam, your physician will insert his or her fingers into your vagina while softly pressing on your lower abdomen with the other hand. By doing this, the physician can verify that your uterus is the correct size and in the correct place. The doctor can also manually identify any cysts or tumors that might be present. If this portion of the exam is painful—and it shouldn’t be—make sure to mention it to your doctor as it might be a sign of an infection.

Pelvic exams must be performed on a proper schedule. They are the best means of identifying many medical issues that may occur within the female reproductive system. Cervical cancer is highly treatable if it is identified early in its development. If you have questions about pelvic exams or are in need of a doctor in Doral, Westchester, or the greater Miami area, please call Consult-A-Nurse® at (305) 222-2200 or visit Kendal Regional Medical Center online.

Sources:

Womenshealth.gov

Planned Parenthood

National Cancer Institute

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