What are the steps of a gynecological examination?

Generally, the process of a gynecological examination includes medical history taking, external genitalia examination, speculum examination, bimanual examination, laboratory tests, and imaging examinations. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Medical History Taking

The doctor will ask the patient for basic information, including age, menstrual cycle, date of last menstrual period, reproductive history, contraceptive methods, past medical history, and current symptoms. This information is very important for determining the direction of subsequent examinations and diagnosing diseases.

2. External Genitalia Examination

The doctor will observe the appearance of the external genitalia, including pubic hair distribution, the morphology of the labia majora and minora, and check for redness, swelling, ulcers, or abnormal growths. Normal external genital skin should be smooth and without damage.

3. Vaginal Speculum Examination

A vaginal speculum is used to open the vagina to examine the vaginal walls and cervix. The color of the vaginal walls, presence of bleeding spots, cysts, or ulcers is assessed, and the size, color, shape of the cervix, as well as any erosion or polyps, are examined.

4. Bimanual Examination

The examiner inserts two fingers of one hand into the vagina while using the other hand to palpate the abdomen. This examination mainly assesses the size, position, consistency, and mobility of the uterus, as well as whether there is thickening, tenderness, or masses in the bilateral adnexa.

5. Laboratory and Imaging Examinations

Based on the findings from the previous examinations, further laboratory tests may be required, such as routine vaginal discharge analysis to determine whether there is vaginitis and its type; cervical smear tests for cervical cancer screening; and blood tests to check hormone levels and inflammatory markers. Imaging examinations include ultrasound, used to observe the structure of organs such as the uterus and ovaries and detect any abnormalities, such as ovarian cysts or endometrial thickening.

In daily life, attention should be paid to personal hygiene, keeping the external genital area clean by washing with warm water daily, avoiding the use of strong irritant cleansers, and wiping from front to back to prevent bacteria from the anal area contaminating the vagina. Additionally, underwear should be changed frequently, and cotton, breathable underwear should be chosen to keep the external genital area dry and comfortable.