Will you let me examine you?
Specifically your vulva, including your vagina. I'll be looking to make sure I don’t see anything unusual or wrong with you. Then I'll collect some samples so we can have a look under the microscope, or send them to the lab for testing.
Do you consent? Great.
Why don't you go ahead and get undressed for me.
Oh, you're perfect. You can just sit on the table for now and we'll have a little chat.
Have you ever had a pelvic exam before? No? First time. That's okay. I'll just explain everything.
When you're ready I'll help you get into position on the table so I can do the exam. Your feet will be in the stirrups and apart so I can see your vulva when I sit between your legs.
Some patients have had bad experiences in the past. Are there any words you want me to use, or any words you want me to avoid during this exam?
You'll feel my hands touching you while l look at your skin... just to make sure there aren't any cuts, lumps or bumps... any redness or irritation. I'll check to see if you're taking care of your hygiene and keeping clean. I'll examine the appearance and health of your skin, and how soft you feel. Don't worry. I'll be wearing my gloves. You'll feel me manipulating the labial folds so I can see you better.
It'll also let me have a closer look at your urethral meatus and clitoris. Do you masturbate? Are you sure about that? Well, some patients don't know if they are lacking in clitoral sensitivity or not so it's up to their doctors to check. Sometimes with their fingertips, pinching or rubbing, but I'll use a long-handled swab as well, stroking up and down the length of the clitoral hood, circling where it pokes out, seeing how you react when the swab goes underneath... up against the glans where it's most sensitive. Some patients say it's agony. But some patients say it feels really good. Will you let me do that to you? Will you let me examine your clitoris? Good. I'll make a note of that.
And then I'll put in the speculum. It looks like this. This part goes in, and this part is outside. It'll go into your vagina and I'll open it up to look at the walls and the cervix. You'll feel a bit of pressure and you might hear the speculum make noise but that's just me turning the screw, opening it up inside you. I'll go really slow and it shouldn’t be painful. If it is, tell me so I can stop.
After I'm done looking and swabbing I'll take it out, put two fingers inside and feel your uterus.
Does everything make sense?
Is there anything you want me to know before we start?
If you say stop or if you start crying, I will immediately stop what I'm doing. If you want me to do anything differently, please tell me.
Can I proceed?
