Tips and Tools
Tips for Your Visit to a Clinic
If You're a Girl
Your doctor will examine your breasts, checking for lumps, swelling or pain, and then they'll ask you questions about when your breasts developed. You may want to discuss breast self-examination with your physician. He or she will then check your groin area, vulva, and around your vagina. What often follows is:
Discussing menstruation: Your doctor will ask questions about your monthly flow, and you have an opportunity to ask about any pain you may be experiencing.
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Internal pelvic exam: Since your reproductive organs are inside your body, your doctor needs to do an internal exam of your vagina. This test is often skipped, unless there's a specific reason for doing it or if you're having sex. If they do perform this exam, your doctor will ask you to lie down, spread your knees and relax. It is a usual procedure to have a doctor's assistant in the room during your examination. Your doctor will insert a speculum into your vagina, which is a device that will hold the walls of your vagina open so they can look at your cervix. Don't hesitate to let your doc know If it hurts while inserting it. Generally, if you can relax it won't hurt as much.
Pap smear: During the speculum exam, your doctor will gently swab cell tissue from your cervix, with a stick resembling a Q-Tip. The cells are then sent to the lab to test for any abnormalities. Pap smears are recommended for girls who are 18 and over, or who are sexually active.
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Bimanual vaginal exam: After the speculum is removed, your doctor will want to examine your pelvic region. So, he or she will put on a glove, some lubricant and will insert one or two fingers into your vagina, while placing his/her other hand on top of your lower abdomen. This way, your doctor can feel the size, shape and position of your uterus, ovaries and tubes.
Last Modified: November 10, 2006
