Sage-Tips

Does a female pelvic exam hurt?

A pelvic exam is a normal part of taking care of your body. It only takes a few minutes and it doesn’t hurt.

How do you stay calm during a pelvic exam?

Practice slow, deep breathing. Try to relax your shoulders, your stomach muscles and the muscles between your legs. Your provider should already be describing each step of the exam, but you can ask for more explanation or for them to go more slowly.

Why are pelvic exams painful?

It’s human reflex to tighten up when we’re anticipating that something—like a pelvic exam—will hurt. But when our pelvic floor muscles contract and tighten, it can lead to more pain during the exam. A way to prevent this pain is to ‘bear down’ during the early part of the internal exam.

Is a rectovaginal exam painful?

A rectovaginal exam typically lasts for less than a minute, but it may last longer if your medical professional finds something concerning. It can be a little uncomfortable, but should not produce any real pain. Deep breathing and relaxing your pelvic muscles can help.

Is it normal to have cramps after a pelvic exam?

It’s totally normal for women to experience a little bit of discomfort following a pelvic exam, especially if it’s their first one. It’s also common for women after a pap test to have mild cramping and/or light bleeding for a couple of days after a pap test (smear).

Why would a pelvic exam be painful?

Can sexual assault cause anxiety around pelvic exams?

As an obstetrician-gynecologist, I have had patients who experienced sexual assault confess that they have avoided or delayed seeking medical care due to their anxiety surrounding pelvic exams.

Why do I Feel Like I’m being re-traumatized by a pelvic exam?

They may also be affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can make them feel as though they are being re-traumatized by a pelvic exam.

Can they check your ovaries without a pelvic exam?

There has to be other ways to check my ovaries than doing a pelvic exam, can they not do an MRI, CT scan or even an ultrasound. I soon will be seen in the women’s health clinic you can bet all your money that this Veteran will no undergo a pelvic exam unless they want to admit me into the hospital and put me to sleep.

What is included in a pelvic exam?

The Pelvic Exam. Pelvic exam is a important part of the exam for female patients and important towards making various diagnoses such as yeast vulvovaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, lichen sclerosis, cancers such as cervical cancer, anal/rectal cancer, fibroids, sexually-transmitted infections (gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomonas, syphilis,…