Intimate Health Care For Women.
Your exam should begin with a general check of your overall health. This is particularly important if your gynecologist is also your primary care physician.
This portion of your exam should include listening to your heart and lungs, and feeling your neck. You may also be asked to give a urine sample which will be tested for sugar (a sign of diabetes) or blood ( a sign of urinary infection).
If your gynecologist is your primary care doctor your exam should also inlcude a check of any general health concerns you should have mentioned during the consulation portion of your exam.
One important point: If you gynecologist is your primary care doctor, make certain that he or she is aware of this. Not all gynecologists are comfortable with the role of primary care-giver. But even if they are, they must know that you are counting on them for this kind of care.
Your Breast Check
This portion of your exam checks your breasts for any potential problems - lumps, bumps, discharges and infections.
This should take up to two minutes, during which time your doctor should feel each breast - usually using a circular motion - as well as examine your nipples and the area under each armpit. Since research shows that up to 25 percent of all gynecologists skip this step it may be necessary for you to ask for this portion of your exam - and you must take that initiative. It is that vital to your health.
In addition, if you haven't been doing self breast -exams, now is the time to fess up. Your doctor must know if this is the case for you.
Your Pelvic Exam
This should begin with a check of the outside portion of your V zone. Here your doctor is looking for the same factors you were looking for in your vulvar self-exam: Lumps, bumps, discolorations, redness and swelling.
The next step is your internal exam. It should begin by inserting the speculum which should only cause minimal discomfort. If you experience pain, talk to your doctor about using a smaller instrument. Also try relaxing your pelvic muscles as much as possible - this can also make your exam more comfortble.
Once your vagina is held open by the speculum, your doctor will examine the inside of your vaginal walls and take a Pap smear - a test that screens for cervical cancer - and a screening that is vital at least every other year, particularly if you are sexually active. See "The New Pap Smear" for the latest information on your testing options.
This test should be followed by the "bi-manual" exam. Here your doctor will place the fingers of one hand inside your vagina and the other on your stomach, and then gently press your pelvic organs. This can help determine the shape, size and position of your cervix, ovaries, and uterus, plus check for any growths such as fibroid tumors or cysts.
The Rectal Exam
By far the most overlooked portion of most gynecological visits is the rectal exam - a vital and important part of your V zone care. It allows your doctor to check the area behind your vagina and uterus, which can often reveal problems not felt or seen during the bi-manual exam. This includes cysts, tumors, enodmetriosis, tubal infections and even polyps.
To perform this exam your doctor will insert one gloved finger into your rectum - and it should take under 60 seconds to do the actual exam. Don't be alarmed if you feel a mementary sensation of having to have a bowel movement - you won't. It's a normal sensation.
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The New GYN Exam
What Your Doctor Must Do To Protect Your Health!
The New GYN Exam: What Your Doctor Must Do
To Protect Your Health
