Doctor Visits, Medical Procedures and Medical Insurance / Question
Published: October 27, 2009
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Hi, I recently sent in a question about whether or not I should get tested for herpes. Well I found a Family Planning center in my town and, on your advice, have scheduled an appointment for next week. I was just wondering: what will the examination be like? I'm just curious.
Signed: What Will The Examination be Like?
Dear What Will The Examination be Like?,
Good for you, TeenHealthFX is delighted to hear that you are looking after yourself and your health.
The medical provider or health care provider will begin by taking a medical history. This is a series of questions that gives you the opportunity to discuss your medical concerns as well as discuss past medical problems and any medications used. Your height, weight, blood pressure and respiratory rate will be taken as well as a temperature and a sample of your urine, if indicated, based on your concerns. Then, you will be given some privacy so that you can undress and change into a gown. A typical exam might include some of the following procedures:
1. The medical practitioner will explain the steps of the exam and will ask you to lie down on the exam table facing up. He/she will then do an examination of your breasts in order to check for any abnormalities and to teach you how to do a breast self exam. Although breast cancer is rare in teens it is important to get into the habit of doing a monthly breast self exam.
2. Next you will be asked to move down to the end of the table and place your feet in stirrups (foot holders). The health care provider will ask you to bend your knees and let them fall to each side allowing your legs to spread apart. This lets the health care provider to look at the outside of your vagina. After this, the medical practitioner will do the speculum exam. A speculum (an instrument made of metal or plastic) will be inserted into the vagina and gently opened, allowing your doctor to see your vagina and cervix (the opening to your uterus). This should not hurt. If you feel pain, be sure to let the health care provider know. Next your doctor will take some cells from your cervix using a tiny cotton swab and a special tiny brush to test for STIs. When all of the samples have been taken, the speculum is closed and gently taken out.
3. The last part is called the Bimanual exam. During this part of the exam, the health care provider inserts one or two gloved, lubricated finger into your vagina and uses the other hand to gently apply pressure to the lower part of your belly. The doctor is examining your internal organs including your uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. You may feel slight discomfort or pressure when he/she presses in certain places, but it should not hurt. If you do feel pain, it is important to tell your health care provider.
After all the information has been gathered and the testing has been completed, at a subsequent visit, your doctor will discuss the results and treatment options if necessary with you The medical practitioner will also look at your total health picture and look at ways to promote wellness where possible.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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