The Pelvic exam is a routine part of women’s health care and may be necessary to evaluate overall health of a woman’s reproductive system. These exams are offered at Burlington OBGYN Associates. If you have symptoms like pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, or pain during urination, don’t wait to schedule a pelvic exam. Call our office in Burlington, Massachusetts, or request an appointment through the book online feature today.
When should I have a pelvic exam?
You may need a pelvic exam every year or once every three years. It is best to decide how often you need an exam in consultation with the experts at Burlington OBGYN Associates. In some cases, you only need to schedule an exam when symptoms like pelvic pain or vaginal discharge develop.
Doctors, NPs and PAs Burlington OBGYN Associates will look at multiple factors – age, medical history, risk factors, family history etc. to recommend when a pelvic exam is required.
What happens during a pelvic exam?
Like all medical checkups, your pelvic exam begins with the basics: Your provider takes your weight, blood pressure, and heart rate, reviews and updates your medical history, and learns about any symptoms or worries you might have.
Though a pelvic exam technically focuses on your reproductive organs, most gynecologists automatically perform a clinical breast exam to screen for signs of breast cancer.
They may also provide other services, depending on your needs. For example, you can get birth control, STD testing and treatment, urinary tract infection (UTI) treatment, and medications if needed during your pelvic exam.
Your pelvic exam has several parts:
External exam: Your provider visually examines your external genitalia, looking for signs of any issues.
Speculum exam: The speculum is a long, narrow device made of two pieces resembling a duck’s bill. Your provider guides the speculum into your vagina and then opens it, separating the two pieces. Opening the speculum allows your provider to see the inside vaginal wall and your cervix. If you need a Pap smear, they take a sample of cells from your cervix. Then they remove the speculum, and that part of your exam is finished.
Digital exam: Your provider inserts two gloved fingers into your vagina and then uses their other hand to press your abdomen.
A digital exam allows your provider to feel abnormal growth and swelling in your pelvic organs. They can also tell if you have any pain by your reaction to pressing on your abdomen.
What signs indicate I should schedule a pelvic exam?
Signs you should schedule a pelvic exam include. You should consult with the experts at Burlington OBGYN Associates if you have:
These symptoms could signal numerous gynecological problems, ranging from a UTI to endometrial cancer.
If you need a pelvic exam, call Burlington OBGYN Associates Inc. or use the online booking feature today.