Top Ob-Gyn New Hyde Park

What Does a Gynecological Exam Entail?

For most women, visiting the OBGYN is simply another chore or essential part of their routine. Similar to doing your laundry or getting your oil changed, visiting the gynecologist allows women to ensure their reproductive health and much more. For most women, this has become so routine at this point that their appointments rarely get a second thought, but in your early teens, before that first appointment, the thought of a gynecology exam could be quite a daunting task. According to Dr. Evan Shapiro, considered the top OB-GYN New Hyde Park has to offer, many young women are simply not as educated on the subject as they should be – and its up to their parents, especially the mom, or any older women in the family to familiarize them with a few important things to know: What happens during your gynecology visit? And Why is it important that we go to our gynecologist on an everyday basis? Without a proper understanding, young women can be extremely nervous – while, in reality, your OB-GYN should be the doctor you feel most comfortable with and can speak most freely. One aspect that many young women are especially uneducated about is the pelvic exam, and its importance. According to Dr. Shapiro, the top OB-GYN New Hyde Park has in practice, once a woman turns 20 or 21, the pelvic exam becomes a vital aspect of a full well-woman visit – and in important part of your overall health as a woman. To help you understand the gynecological pelvic exam better, Dr. Shapiro offers us these important aspects to know.

The relationship between a woman and her gynecologist must be a very comfortable one, as a gynecologist gets far more intimate with you than any other doctor. And while many women find this to be quite scary and uncomfortable at first, when you realize the importance, you eventually will realize how vital this type of examination is to your overall health and wellness. Unless of course you have some sort of earlier medical condition, Dr. Shapiro, the top OB-GYN NEW HYDE PARK has to offer, believes women should begin having close, routine pelvic examinations done around the age of 21. So, what exactly does a pelvic exam entail? Well a pelvic examination is an examination by a doctor or nurses on your internal and external reproductive organs – the vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries. Again, this is where it is vital to have an open and honest dialogue with your doctor, as in the event you suffer from any type of infections or STD (yeast infections etc.), it is important to make them aware. Or if you are feeling any pain, discomfort or other strange symptoms in that area of the body.

The examination generally begins with your changing into a hospitalgown, and lying down on the examination table with your legs on footrests or knee-rests. Once your legs and knees are spread, the doctor will have access to your reproductive organs. While this might be uncomfortable, your doctor is a professional and it is important to understand that this is his or her job and this has no other connotations. As the top OB-GYN New Hyde Park has to offer, Dr. Shapiro will often try and comfort his patients by talking them through things and always keeping them abreast of what he is doing and what he is seeing. The parts of the pelvic exam are as follows:

· External Exam – The doctor checks out the outer area of the vagina, the vulva and opening. This is important to find cysts or any discharge, warts signs of infection or other issues.

· Specular Exam – Using a metal or plastic device known as a speculum, your OB-GYN will slide this device into your vagina in order to separate the walls to provide a better opening for examination. During this process, doctors will often take swabs and samples to perform pap tests – looking for any pre-cancerous cells or other issues. The doctor can also test for STD’s as well, like gonorrhea.

· Bimanual Exam – This can be a bit nerve wracking the first time, but the doctor or nurse will use a gloved and lubricated finger to exam the inner area of the vagina, while placing pressure on the lower stomach. This helps to examine the uterus, and find any issues with the ovaries, fallopian tubes, looks for any tumors or cysts, and identifies any points of pain or discomfort. A vital test to be perform.

· Rectovaginal Exam – Again, using a gloved finger, they will check your rectum and anus. In order to ensure the strength and wellness of the muscles between the vagina and anus. This also gives them another angle to check the vagina for tumors or cysts.

The thing to understand is that yes, this examination will definitely feel awkward and it can be scary having someone get so close to your intimate areas – but with time and the understanding that this is the job of your doctor, you will become more comfortable. For more information on gynecological exams or to schedule an appointment contact Women’s Health and Wellness today.