When women reach reproductive age, they should all undergo a pelvic exam, even if they feel embarrassed, especially single women who have never been married or had sexual intercourse before. However, women’s internal health is very important because it is complex and involves many parts of the female reproductive system, including the vaginal opening, vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Normally, doctors recommend that all women have a pelvic exam annually along with cervical cancer screening, which is one of the leading causes of death among Thai women.
How to Start Your First Pelvic Exam
To make the pelvic exam as effective as possible, you should prepare by not having the exam during your menstrual period. It is recommended to have the exam about one week after your period has completely ended or about one week before your next period. This is because the risk of infection is higher during menstruation. Additionally, here are some important things to know before the exam:
- Do not douche or use vaginal suppositories within 2 days before the pelvic exam.
- Avoid sexual intercourse before the exam.
- Wear comfortable clothing; it is recommended to wear a skirt and avoid tight pants.
- If you have your period and experience severe menstrual pain or heavy bleeding and want a pelvic exam for diagnosis, you can see the doctor without waiting for your period to stop.
- If you have vaginal discharge issues, you can still have the exam without trying to clean the area so the doctor can see the amount and test for infections.
- There is no need to shave pubic hair.
- Urinate before the exam to avoid discomfort during the pelvic exam.
- If you have never had a pelvic exam and have never had sexual intercourse and feel embarrassed, you can inform the nurse or staff to request a female doctor. Generally, if the doctor is male, there will be a female nurse assistant in the exam room.
The pelvic exam usually takes about 10 minutes. After that, the doctor will take your medical history and ask about any abnormalities related to the reproductive system. If you have any questions, you can ask immediately for peace of mind.
Is the First Pelvic Exam Painful for Virgins or Single Women?
If the patient has never had sexual intercourse or is single, the doctor will usually ask before the exam and choose to use smaller instruments or apply lubricant to minimize pain. You may feel tightness or slight pain when the instrument is inserted into the vagina, but these sensations will disappear after the exam is completed.
What is the Procedure for a Pelvic Exam?
Before the exam, the nurse will ask you to change clothes. Then the doctor will have you lie down on the examination table with your legs placed in stirrups to allow your legs to be spread apart. This position may be uncomfortable and some may feel embarrassed. It is recommended to relax and try not to tense up to make the exam easier and quicker. The pelvic exam is divided into two parts. In the first part, the doctor will use an instrument similar to a duckbill, called a speculum, along with a manual vaginal exam using fingers. The doctor will select the appropriate size of the speculum and insert it into the vagina. Once in position, the doctor will open the speculum to view the vaginal walls and cervix. If cervical cancer screening is being done, the doctor will collect cervical cells at this time to send to the lab for further testing.
Will You Get the Results Immediately After the Pelvic Exam?
Generally, you can get the results on the same day as the exam. If the results are normal, you can go home immediately without needing recovery time. However, if cervical cancer screening is done using Pap smear or ThinPrep methods, you will need to wait about one week for lab results, and the doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss the results. If other abnormalities are found, the doctor may need to perform additional specific tests as appropriate.
Is a Pelvic Exam Necessary if You Have Never Had Sexual Intercourse?
If you have never had sexual intercourse, the chance of cervical cancer is almost zero. However, a pelvic exam does not only screen for cervical cancer but also checks the ovaries and the uterine lining for any abnormalities. Therefore, this is the benefit of having a pelvic exam.
At What Age Should You Start Having Pelvic Exams?
Generally, doctors recommend women start pelvic exams at age 25-30. However, if you have had sexual intercourse at a young age, you can have the exam immediately without waiting until age 25. It is recommended to have the exam annually to reduce the risk of disease. Even if you have no symptoms, you should have the exam to check for abnormalities in the pelvic organs, which often do not show symptoms unless there is severe inflammation. Therefore, pelvic exams help prevent various diseases that may occur in the future.
However, pelvic exams are not as scary as many people think when compared to the benefits. Therefore, it is recommended that women overcome their embarrassment and have pelvic exams along with cervical cancer screening annually to reduce the risk of serious diseases.
