What happens during your first pelvic exam?

: What happens during your first pelvic exam?
I have heard that they do a breast exam, bi manual exam, pap smear and others. Do they do this all on your first exam?
I am just wondering because I heard a lot about different things like the bi manual and pap smear and I am wondering if they do this and more on your first exam? Do they do a rectal exam too? Do most women shave for this?
Do most women shave in general?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Alexa
When you go to the office the nurse will first talk to you about your medical history. It is important to be honest with the doctor about your sexual history and remember that it is confidential.

After the nurse takes your history she will give you a gown and leave the room. You will get changed and then the doctor will come in. If she is giving you a regular pelvic exam she will first check your breasts while you lay down by feeling them for lumps. Then you will scoot up on the bed and she will have you put your feet in stirrups. She will use lubricant to insert a speculum which holds your vaginal walls open. Using a swab, she will take a sample from your cervix (the pap smear). Then the doctor will insert two fingers into your vagina and then use her hand outside to feel your uterus (this is the bi manual exam).

It sounds horrible but it seriously takes less than 5 minutes to do all of them. The doctor does this all day so there is nothing that they haven’t seen.

Good luck

Answer by Starkissed
It may depend on if you are sexually active. Every doctor is different. First, your doctor will check your breasts. Then he/she will ask you to place your feet up so they can do the pelvic exam. First they will do a quick scan of your vulva to check for any discoloration, bumps etc, you know, anything that could be cause for concern. Then your doctor will place a speculum in your vagina and open it up. That can cause a little bit of pressure but just relax and it won’t take long. Your doctor will use a long Q-tip and take a swab of the tissue by your cervix. You can also ask them to take another swab to be used for a STD test (usually covered by insurance, and why not get it, it’s better to know your status). Then your doctor will place some lubricant on their fingers and place them in your vagina. They will place their other hand on your pelvis and push down a bit. This is so they can check the position of your uterus (to see if it is tipped or not) and to check your ovaries to see if they feel like they are swollen or not. The whole exam takes like not even 5 minutes and is nothing to worry about. You don’t have to feel like you will gross them out, and you don’t have to worry about cleaning yourself/shaving etc. Your GYN is used to seeing women of all kinds, most even double as OBs.

Answer by ptgurl77
If this is your first GYN exam, usually your doc will sit down with you and explain what will happen during the exam. Next, a nurse will escort you to the exam room and have you undress, completly. they will have a gown and a cover for you to put on. the gown goes on with the opening in the front. The cover drapes across your legs. Your doc will only expose what needs to be exposed at the time. She will have you lie on your back and inch your bottom to the edge of the table and place your feet in the stirrups. The nurse should be in the room the whole time the doctor is in. The exam will begin with a breast exam of each side. You will be on your back, and doc will raise each arm above your head. Doc will then feel breast tissue, pressing lightly to feel under the skin, all the way to your armpit. After both sides are completed, she will cover you back up on top. The vag light as we call it goes on. They take a light and bring it close to your person. The speculum (which is a small metal or plastic instrument that looks like a duck bill) is lubed and entered into the opening. It is opened enough for the doc to see your cervix and swab the lining of your cervix with a long Q-tip. This doesn’t really hurt, it is just awkward. this is when my doctor likes to distract me and ask questions about school or the weather or what have you, I guess to make it less awkward for you. (but that may just be my doc) The last part of the exam, is the most uncomfortable. She place 1-2 fingers inside, and with the other hand feel around your abdomen. This is to palpate or manually feel for any abnormalities in and around your cervix. It is all over in about 10 minutes. It will be uncomfortable because it is your first time, but just relax and trust your doctor. I hope yours is as gentle as mine always is. good luck and remember to relax. you are probably going to want to take a shower after, but that feeling is completly normal.
Good luck