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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The pelvic exam has no purpose.

This is not only false, it is a very dangerous falsehood.

Stop spreading disinformation that could endanger people’s lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People! You need to trust your gynecologist, she knows what she’s doing

(if not, find a better gynecologist)

How do you know that they know what they are doing? It’s not always clear. Most have zero knowledge of menopause for example (no training in med school). Most would say they treat it though. The treatment should often include hormones but usually consists of them saying, “menopause sucks. Sorry. Good luck. See you next year.”



So let’s not belittle people doing research. Doctors are not perfect.

Many fields continue to work with guidelines that are outdated (anesthesiologists saying not to eat 8-16 hours before anesthesia for example).

If your doctor isn’t continually reading research to keep up with current facts, you need to find a new gyno.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The pelvic exam has no purpose.

This is not only false, it is a very dangerous falsehood.

Stop spreading disinformation that could endanger people’s lives.

The PP is correct as pertains to pelvic/bimanual as a SCREENING tool. I was trained 18 years ago at a top program and an ObGyn who is one of the most respected names in women’s health was very clear with us that the screening pelvic exam is a relic, it is not supported by evidence. Providers continue to do it because that’s how they were trained, not because in someone without symptoms there is any likelihood of “finding” something. See the USPSTF referenced above in this thread. On the other hand if someone has symptoms of concern it can be a useful tool.

[Anonymous]

Kind of a side question, but if I had a hysterectomy (cervix, uterus but ovaries intact) what kind of yearly screening do I need? Obviously no longer a pap, but the pelvic as well?

[Anonymous]

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

Agree. I only go if I have a concern. Last one was over 10 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Searching for the pot of gold?

[Anonymous]

While a pap is every 5 yrs, my understanding was a yearly pelvic exam is still recommended in order to check (palpate) ovaries and uterus, check for prolapse or anything else abnormal they feel.

[Anonymous]

My friend's (fortunately benign) tumor was initially found on a pelvic exam.