Chapter 20
The pelvic exam:
how to examine a woman’s vagina and womb
In this chapter:
When to do a pelvic exam........................................................................................... 374
Making the pelvic exam safe . . . . . . . . 374
Before the exam............................................................................................................ 375
Help the woman relax . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375 Ask the woman about her history . . . . 375
The visual exam............................................................................................................. 376
The speculum exam...................................................................................................... 377
Tests for infections and cancer . . . . . . 379
Vinegar test for HPV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Pap test for infections and cancer . . . . 381
Cancer of the cervix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
The bimanual exam (2-hand exam)........................................................................... 385
372