Line drawing showing palpation in pelvic exam.

An image that shows the introitus (the opening of the vagina) in relation to its surrounding structures, when the labia are displaced by digits during a pelvic examination.

A pelvic examination, also pelvic exam, is a physical examination of the female pelvic organs.

Broadly, it can be divided into the external examination and internal examination.^[1]

It is also called "Bimanual Exam" & "Manual Uterine Palpation".

[edit] External examination

• examination of anatomy
• skin lesion
• palpatation of stomach area

[edit] Internal examination

Use of speculum^[2] to locate external cervical os. Examination for foreign bodies.

[edit] Manoeuvres

• test for cervical motion tenderness, as classically seen in pelvic inflammatory disease
• palpation of adnexal structures
• cervical swabs
• vaginal swabs
• Pap smear

[edit] Discomfort

The exam should not be excessively uncomfortable, but a woman with a vaginal infection may feel pain when the speculum is inserted. During the bimanual exam, the palpating of the ovaries may be painful. The pap test may cause some cramping as well.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Pelvic Exam Video
• Your First Pelvic Exam
• Pregnancy Symptoms

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