A pelvic exam is a routine part of your well-woman exam, looking for health issues that may affect your reproductive organs and overall health. Anju Nayar, MD, FACOG, performs pelvic exams at Nova Women’s Health in North Reading, Massachusetts. The OB/GYN practice provides all the services women need to manage their health and may perform a pelvic exam during a wellness visit, prenatal care, or when you come in with concerning symptoms like pelvic pain. For patient-centered care, call the office today or schedule your exam online.
Pelvic exams are essential for your reproductive health. Many health issues women experience center around their reproductive organs and may affect physical, social, or emotional well-being.
Some of these health issues are a normal part of a woman’s life, like menstruation and menopause. However, women also experience health issues specific to their reproductive organs, like endometriosis and fibroids.
A pelvic exam can find health problems involving your reproductive organs so you get the most appropriate treatment to improve your well-being.
You should have a pelvic exam at least once a year during your well-woman exam. An annual pelvic exam is a health screening that can find problems before they become serious health conditions.
You may also benefit from a pelvic exam if you have concerning symptoms such as pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or unexpected vaginal discharge. Nova Women’s Health also performs pelvic exams during prenatal care and for infertility workups.
Though there’s nothing you need to do to prepare for a pelvic exam, you should schedule this exam when you don’t have your period.
Your provider at Nova Women’s Health performs your pelvic exam at the office. The entire exam only takes a few minutes but may include different tests.
You lie back on the exam table with your knees bent upward and your feet in stirrups. Your OB/GYN has you move your body forward and open your knees for the exam.
First, your provider visually examines your external genitalia. Then, they insert a speculum into your vagina so they can evaluate your cervix.
They may also do a Pap smear and collect cells for a human papillomavirus (HPV) test during this part of your pelvic exam. The Pap smear and HPV test are screening tools for cervical cancer.
Your provider then palpates your reproductive organs, checking the size and shape of your uterus and ovaries and looking for abnormalities like fibroids and cysts.
The specialists at Nova Women’s Health have years of experience and ensure you feel comfortable throughout your pelvic exam.
Don’t put off your pelvic exam. Call Nova Women’s Health or book an appointment online today.