Then comes the pelvic exam, during which the nurse practitioner explains exactly what she is doing and what you will feel. Throughout this part of the exam, you will be lying on your back on the exam table with your feet elevated in stirrups. The nurse practitioner first examines the external genitalia and surrounding area. Next, the practitioner examines the vagina and cervix. There are two types of specula, metal and plastic.
Some patients request the metal speculum because they feel it slides more comfortably.
With the aid of a speculum, the practitioner can check for ulcers, unusual discharge or bumps, or signs of infection such as abnormal odors or unusual redness of the skin. The practitioner will then perform a pap smear by collecting cells from the cervix and placing them on a slide to check for infections, precancerous, or cancerous cells. Following the speculum examination, the practitioner will perform an exam of the pelvic organs, using the hands to detect any lumps or unusual enlargements in the uterus or ovaries. Finally, the practitioner may perform a rectal exam, checking for cysts or other abnormalities. After a minimum of a week or two after your exam, you will receive a letter or phone call with the results of your pap smear.