What does a speculum test for?

What's a speculum pelvic exam? During a pelvic exam, a doctor or nurse checks your vulva and your inside reproductive organs — your vagina, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. Using a speculum is one part of a pelvic exam — it's an instrument that gently opens your vagina so the doctor can see inside.

What can you see with a speculum?

A speculum is a tool for looking inside a woman's vagina. The speculum holds the walls of the vagina open. When it is in the right position, you will be able to see the cervix, test for infection or cancer, insert an IUD, or empty the womb.

Why is speculum test done?

The speculum helps to open the vagina a little bit, allowing the doctor to see the cervix and the walls of the vagina. Samples may also be collected for testing. A bimanual examination is done to check a woman's pelvic organs (such as the uterus and ovaries).

What should I look for in a speculum exam?

What gets checked during a gynecological exam?

A pelvic exam is a routine and common physical exam used to check for signs of disease in female organs. A healthcare provider will check the vagina, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix. During a pelvic exam, the healthcare provider may do a Pap smear to test for cancer.

Pelvic Examination

Can a doctor tell if you have an STD from a pelvic exam?

And unless you have genital warts or a sore outbreak, your gynecologist won't know from a pelvic exam or a pap test that you have an STD. This means that if you think you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease, you'll have to ask for a screening.

Is it normal to get wet during a pelvic exam?

There is nothing wrong with you. Your body's natural response of lubrication in this particular case has nothing to do with whether you are aroused by your doctor or the examination itself. Also, some women lubricate more than others and that is normal too.

How many fingers does a gynecologist use?

The doctor or nurse will put lubricant on two fingers (still wearing the gloves) and slide them inside your vagina. Using the other hand, he or she will press on the outside of your lower abdomen (the area between your vagina and your stomach). You may feel a little pressure or discomfort.

Do speculums hurt?

The speculum exam — Your doctor will gently slide a speculum into your vagina. The speculum is made of metal or plastic. It separates the walls of your vagina when it opens. This may feel uncomfortable or weird, but it shouldn't hurt.

Why do gynecologists push on your stomach?

Pressing on your stomach is a way to find out if the size of your internal organs is normal, to check if anything hurts, and to feel if anything unusual is going on. Looking, listening, and feeling are all part of a physical exam.

What is the purpose of the gynecologic examination?

gynecological examination, procedures aimed at assessing the health of a woman's reproductive system. The general examination usually makes use of a speculum for a view of the vagina and cervix. More specialized procedures include the Pap smear for the detection of cancer of the cervix.

What are vaginal speculums used for?

A vaginal speculum is a medical device that allows physicians and health providers to better view a woman's cervix and vagina during pelvic exams. Most specula are made of metal and plastic, and physicians insert a portion of the speculum into the patient's vagina to separate the vaginal walls.

Can you get HPV from a speculum?

Metal tools, such as vaginal speculums, are used on a patient and disinfected before being placed in new packaging and then reused. Some research has shown that HPV can potentially be spread to patients via metal reusable tools, despite disinfection.

How far does a speculum go in?

Speculae up to 4 cm wide and 12–16 cm long are appropriate when redundant vaginal walls prolapse between the bills and obscure the view of the cervix; this occurs most commonly in obese and multiparous women.

How many inches is a speculum?

LARGE SIZE SPECULUM: The gynecological instrument measures 4-inch by 1-inch used by doctors to open the walls of the vagina and examine the vagina and cervix.

How do you remove a speculum?

Why do Gynaecologists finger?

They are supposed to insert 2 fingers in to feel the cervix, but only once for that purpose. They are not supposed to touch you anywhere else! Definitely not your clitoris! Call the police if that has happened to you.

Do gynecologists put fingers inside?

A breast exam might also be done. Sometimes, but not always, gynecologists conduct a pelvic exam, which is usually the most uncomfortable part for patients. A doctor uses a speculum to examine the vagina and cervix and then places fingers of one hand inside the vagina and presses on the abdomen with the other hand.

Can a gynecologist tell if you are aroused?

Genital arousal takes a bit of time to subside (whether an orgasm occurred or not), so if an exam was done before that had happened, the doctor might be able to tell that she'd been aroused...but nothing beyond that.

Do gynecologists care if you shave?

It's not necessary to shave or wax your vagina before getting a gynecologic exam,” Dr. Ross ensures. “Vaginal grooming is your personal choice. The main consideration on how to prepare for an exam is to simply be clean, so showering or using a vaginal hygiene wipe prior to your visit is suggested.”

Can you feel your ovaries with your fingers?

When you press hard, you can feel her ovary slip between your fingers. You must push down deeply with your outside hand, so ask the woman to take a deep breath and let it go before you feel her ovary.

Can you see chlamydia in a pelvic exam?

Chlamydia is easily detected. Many Gynecologist can now test for Chlamydia at the time of annual Pap smear. (Another very good reason to have your annual pap girls), and it is easily treated with antibiotics.

How do gynecologists check for infections?

During the exam, a speculum is inserted in the vagina to allow the doctor to check for symptoms such as swelling or discharge. Doctors also generally take a sample of discharge with a swab from within the vagina and examine it under a microscope in the office, Wagner says, so a diagnosis can be made right away.

What happens if you test positive for HPV?

If you get a positive HPV test, your physician has detected one or more high risk strains of the virus on the Pap test of your cervix. If the virus stays with you for a long time, it can cause cell changes that can lead to several types of cancer.

Is HPV always an STD?

HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It's the most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV is usually harmless and goes away by itself, but some types can lead to cancer or genital warts.