A breast exam will be first. You'll lie down on the exam table, where your provider will perform a standard breast exam. You or your provider may request a chaperone to be present.
A Pap test will be next. You will put your feet on the stirrups attached to the table to widen your legs. The provider will gently insert a tool called a speculum into your vagina. It looks similar to a duck bill and is used to spread the vagina slightly so the provider can collect a sample of cells from your cervix with a small soft brush. The Pap test usually lasts only a few minutes. You can expect mild sensations.
The test may be mildly uncomfortable. You may feel pressure in your abdomen or vagina that you may not have experienced before. However, it should never hurt. During this time, it's important to breathe and stay relaxed so the process is more comfortable. An internal exam will follow. Your provider will insert two lubricated, gloved fingers into your vagina and press on your lower abdomen to check your uterus and ovaries.
Consider these tips to mentally prepare for your exam: Use relaxation techniques or distraction. Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, guided imagery and mindfulness , can be beneficial leading up to and during your exam. Also, throughout the exam, you can close your eyes, inhale through your nose for four seconds and then exhale through your mouth for four seconds. You may want to listen to music or watch a video to distract your mind.
You also can bring a partner, family member or friend to talk to during the process. Talk to your health care provider.
Let your provider know you are nervous and explain how you are feeling. Caring for an aging parent? Tips for enjoying holiday meals. A conversation about reducing the harms of social media. Menopause and memory: Know the facts. How to get your child to put away toys. Is a common pain reliever safe during pregnancy? Can vaping help you quit smoking? Women's Health Should you have an annual pelvic exam?
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If your doctor or nurse is male, a female assistant will be called into the room during all parts of the exam. A small amount of discharge or even a few spots of blood is normal after a pelvic exam and Pap test.
Yes, a pelvic exam checks the overall health of your female organs. It is important to have them whether you are sexually active or not, to detect any problems early, when they are most treatable. Department Adolescent Medicine. Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.
Health Category Tween and Teen Development.
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