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Administrative Offices 345 Whitney Avenue New Haven, CT 06511 203.865.5158 Email Us! |
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Does the thought of having a gynecological exam make you nervous? The information on this page will take away some of the fear and worry and tell you about everything that happens during this visit. Here are some things to know:
It's quick. The average exam takes about five minutes.
Nothing should hurt. If you feel any pain during the exam, it's important to tell the clinician.
It is essential to maintain good health, especially once you become sexually active.
The Exam
Once you are shown to an exam room, you will need to get undressed from the waist down. You may leave your shirt and socks on. You sit on the exam table and open a large paper drape sheet over your lap.
The clinician––who might be a nurse practitioner or physician assistant––will examine your breasts to check for lumps, thickening, irregularities, and possible discharge. They will also teach you how to do a self-breast exam (SBE). It is a good idea to do a SBE every month. Next, the clinician performs a pelvic exam, which can detect abnormalities in the reproductive organs. You will lie on the exam table and place your feet in footholders.
To examine the cervix, your clinician will gently insert a sterile, warm speculum into your vagina. The clinician will swab your cervix (the opening to the uterus) to obtain a sample for a Pap test. A Pap test can show whether any pre-cancerous or cancerous cells are present on your cervix. Testing for Sexual Transmitted Infections (STDs) can also be done at this time.
After removing the speculum, the clinician inserts two gloved, lubricated fingers into your vagina and presses down on your lower abdomen with the other hand to examine the internal pelvic organs (primarily your uterus and ovaries). This is called the bimanual exam. It takes only a moment or two.
Once the exam is over, you may sit up and get dressed. When you are ready, the clinician will speak with you about your exam as well as other things you may need.
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