Undergoing the Gynaecological Examination: What Do You Know About It

Most of the time, people overlook or neglect the minor health issues due to hectic daily schedule or other important chores. Simply, they are unaware that over time it will become severe and people will fall ill seriously and in worse manner.

Hence, it is important to get checked whenever there is any simple abnormality in the body. Especially, women should focus on the gynaecological care as it is the prime aspect for promoting their overall health.    

If the patient is suggested with a pelvic exam, what does it mean?

A pelvic screening is also known as the entire gynaecological exam for detecting any issue regarding the reproductive organs. The scan involves 3 integral parts:

• Evaluating the genital’s outer parts (vulva)
• With the help of the speculum internal exam will be performed (speculum is the device that helps in opening up the vaginal walls for getting clear view of the cervix)
• The manual examination performs by the doctor with gloved hand for checking the internal organs. They do so feeling the organs. As it comprises one or two examination parts, you should relax if you are too young. Any sort of tension can make you hurt or discomfort during the pelvic exam. The girls who have never engaged in any sexual relationship, the exam is performed with a special speculum for possessing as little discomfort as possible.

Many people heard about cervical screening, what is actually it?

Cervical screening is useful in detecting the pre-cancerous (abnormal) cells in the cervix (lower part of uterus or womb) which later develops into severe infection. The procedure is much similar to that of the pelvic examination even the speculum is kept in the same position.

Cells are collected by using a small brush and sent to the laboratory for detailed analysis. The test is entirely painless and thus don’t get anxious or panic. 

Does virginity lose in case of performing the gynaecological examination?

There is no risk of losing virginity with the pelvic examination. Hymen (or membranes) around the vaginal opening gets perforated for enabling the escape of menstrual flow once the girls reach the age of puberty. Due to the look of a duck’s beak, the used speculum for the exam is also known as the “duck-bill”.

As it is thin it can be inserted easily in the vagina and the other part can’t help in opening the vaginal walls at all. Its hinged parts properly open the interior vaginal walls so that doctor can gain the clear view of the womb’s neck.

Furthermore, due to the utmost elasticity of the vaginal walls, there is no discomfort as far as you don’t get tensed up and stay calm and relax for long.

Do the doctors check the breasts? If yes then why?

If you are highly concerned about the development or shape of breasts, it is recommended to consult with the GP. You will be suggested to perform certain exams to check that everything is fine and there is nothing to worry about. As per the gynaecologists, breast screening is the regular part of whole gynaecological exam.

Though it occurs rarely in young girls yet it is pivotal to check the occurrence of any abnormal lumps in the benign. Mostly, they remain in non-cancerous conditions and often referred to as the fibrocystic disease or fibroadenomas. Breast exam also rest assures the young girls that tiny irregularities are absolutely normal with the symmetrical lack during developing age.   

If any abnormal things get noticed, are they the matter of worry?

In case you experience any abnormal signs or symptoms, it is better to get checked by the Gynaecologist (GP) as early as possible. Some of the symptoms are mentioned below for your reference:

• Excruciating pain in pelvic area
• Unbearable menstrual pains
• Irregular periods above 2 years after the first period
• Unusual menstrual flow, itching, swelling or pain in the vaginal area
• Blood traces in urine
• You may consider that you are pregnant (if you have had sex and period is getting late)
• If you observe any symptoms indicating towards any STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease like vaginal discharge with stinky smell, itching or burning sensation

In case itching is experienced and yet don’t engage in sex, still is there any possible of infection?

Yes, it is possible. It is not mandatory that itching only occurs due to an infection resulted from having sex. It can occur due to the emergence of vaginal yeast infection too. Moreover, if you have ever put on the wet swimsuit for long or put intimate wear made from synthetic fibres or taking antibiotics for long it can result an infection.

Sexual contact is not necessary to form an infection. So, it is advisable to book an appointment with the GP (or gynaecologist). Only they can professionally check what is the exact cause of itching so that it can be treated well and provide you the much-required relief. It involves examination of the affected area by carrying out the culture test.

Primarily, it is performed by taking out the vaginal fluid as the sample by using a small rod. Later, it is sent to the lab for analysing the presence of infection along with its nature.     

Scan is widely done during pregnancy, why is it done for normal women too?

Scanning helps the gynaecologist to perform an extensive assessment of all internal pelvic organs. It is important for checking the formation of ovarian cysts and malformation of other problems and in the uterus as well. On the basis of age, either it is done over the belly which needs full bladder or a vaginal probe for offering better image.

If there is consistent pelvic pain then your doctor may suggest you to undergo scanning at the same time for proper detection of the issue.

What about privacy? If someone shares sexual health concerns with the GP (Gynaecologist) without letting the parents know is it possible?

If you are more concerned about keeping the matter discreet, make it sure to your doctor prior to start the conversation. You also inform the GP not to disclose the matter to your parents either. A professional doctor will always respect your confidentiality and try best to protect the matter from getting disclosed.

It is so; because they are aware that identification can put you at risk and severely affect your overall health condition. Hence, before starting the discussion on main topic it is always better to talk regarding this matter separately. Otherwise, you may have to face issues in the future.      

If you need to perform full gynaecological screening, you should use search string like “private GP clinic in London near me” to book an appointment online. Every woman should need to undergo this test at a fixed interval of time for promoting their sexual health in the long haul.