What is the pelvic exam?
It consists of 3 parts: the visual inspection of the external genitalia
. The speculum exam, which allows the provider to see the inner walls of the vagina as well as the cervix and collect specimens such as the pap test, cultures for sexually transmitted viruses as well as cultures for vaginal infections, and a bimanual exam in which the provider will insert 1 or 2 fingers vaginally while his/her other hand palpates your pelvis from the top. This allows the provider to assess the internal pelvic organs and structures as well as to assess internal pelvic floor musculature.