Toggle nav. A pelvic examination is looking at and feeling the size and shape of the external and internal reproductive organs. These include the vulva outside , and vagina, uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes inside. The exam helps to make sure that your reproductive organs are healthy. It also helps your health care provider detect medical conditions such as infections or abnormal Pap smears that could become serious if not treated.
I'm going to the doctor for my first pelvic exam. What should I expect?
What Happens During a Pelvic Exam? Will It Hurt?
A virginity test is the practice and process of determining whether a girl or woman is a virgin ; i. The test typically involves a check for the presence of an intact hymen , on the flawed assumption that it can only be torn as a result of sexual intercourse. Virginity testing is widely considered controversial, both because of its implications for the tested girls and women and because it is viewed as unethical. The process of virginity testing varies by region. In areas where medical doctors are available, the tests would often be given in a doctor's office. Another form of virginity testing involves testing for laxity of vaginal muscles with fingers the "two-finger test". A doctor performs the test by inserting a finger into the female's vagina to check the level of vaginal laxity, which is used to determine if she is "habituated to sexual intercourse". Examinations to test for previous sexual activity used to be performed on rape victims in Bangladesh , Pakistan and India before it was banned. Among the Bantu peoples of Sub-Saharan Africa, virginity testing or even the suturing of the labia majora called infibulation has been commonplace.
Part 1—The Interview
Before the pelvic exam, your pediatrician will ask you questions about your health and your periods. So don't be surprised if you're asked questions like. Your pediatrician might also ask you about sex. You may be embarrassed or feel like your sex life is nobody else's business, but your pediatrician needs to know these things to help you protect your health. So be honest! These questions may include. Remember, you can ask questions too. In fact, this is a great time to ask any questions you may have about your period, tampon use, sex, and other stuff. Your pediatrician has lots of good information and can give you advice on making good decisions, the benefits of not having sex abstinence , and preventing pregnancy and diseases. So don't be afraid to ask!
Becoming a woman is full of milestones; some good and some are just part of life. The time in which womanhood officially starts is when the menstrual cycle begins. This signifies sexual maturity and can happen at any time between the ages of 8 to 15, but most girls get it around the age of Now, fast forward a few years later to your senior year of college and the real world right around the corner for most women, this is a significant age when doctor visits become more routine. This exam is all part of ensuring that everything is as it should be and any problems, if any, are detected early on. Preventative medicine is a crucial part of staying healthy and living a long life. As mentioned above, a pelvic exam is a routine aspect of a wellness visit that women should start doing at the age of 21, unless there is a medical condition that requires one sooner. This exam is a normal part of taking care of your health and only takes a few minutes.
