What is the purpose of a pelvic exam at your annual gyn appt

[Anonymous]

My former gynecologist missed fibroids doing my routine pelvic exams. They were small but caused excessive bleeding. The only benefit to the IUD she placed is that the fibroids came out. I have many negative adverse reactions so had it removed after a year but I wish I had seen a gynecological surgeon before asking the regular gyno. If this happens again, I’m going straight to a surgeon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The pelvic exam has no purpose.

IME, they can do this to tell if you are in early pregnancy. Also to check the ovary shape and size.

It does annoy me that women have to endure this every year while men only have their equivalent when there is a problem they need to address.

[Anonymous]

They can tell if your ovaries are enlarged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You no longer need a yearly pap look it up. You don't need to go yearly!!!

A pap isn’t the same as a pelvic exam. I believe pelvic exams are still recommended annually.

Ok, but visualization of the cervix can be important in detecting changes to the cells as well.

Sure, but this doesn’t contradict what I said. A pelvic exam includes visualization as well as palpitation. Or at least, that’s how my gyn does it - I only get a pap every 5 years, but an annual well woman exam that includes a speculum and palpitation (and also a breast exam of course).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You no longer need a yearly pap look it up. You don't need to go yearly!!!

A pap isn’t the same as a pelvic exam. I believe pelvic exams are still recommended annually.

Ok, but visualization of the cervix can be important in detecting changes to the cells as well.

Sure, but this doesn’t contradict what I said. A pelvic exam includes visualization as well as palpitation. Or at least, that’s how my gyn does it - I only get a pap every 5 years, but an annual well woman exam that includes a speculum and palpitation (and also a breast exam of course).

Is the 5 years standard now?

[Anonymous]

I've had a lot of things going on with my uterus and ovaries-large things (cysts, chocolate cysts, fibroids), small things (polyp) NONE of which was found via "pelvic" exam. None.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've had a lot of things going on with my uterus and ovaries-large things (cysts, chocolate cysts, fibroids), small things (polyp) NONE of which was found via "pelvic" exam. None.

It usually is tho