How is an internal examination performed?

Internal examination, commonly referred to as a gynecological internal exam, is primarily used to assess the health of a woman's pelvic organs, especially the uterus, cervix, and vagina. The following are the basic steps of a gynecological internal examination: 1. Preparation: The patient lies on a gynecological examination table. Usually, she needs to remove her lower garments and place her legs in stirrups to maintain a comfortable position. 2. Disinfection: The doctor will first clean the external genital area to reduce the risk of infection. 3. Speculum examination: The doctor uses an instrument called a speculum, gently inserting it into the vagina to expand the view and examine the vaginal walls and cervix. This may cause some discomfort but is generally not painful. 4. Palpation: The doctor, wearing gloves, inserts fingers into the vagina to feel the cervix, checking its firmness, position, and any abnormalities. At the same time, the doctor may gently press on the lower abdomen to assess the size, shape of the uterus, and whether there are any abnormal masses. 5. Pap smear: If cervical cancer screening is needed, the doctor will collect a sample of cells from the cervix, smear them onto a glass slide, and send it to the laboratory for a Pap smear test. The entire process is usually very quick and can be completed within a few minutes. Although some mild discomfort may be experienced, most women are able to tolerate it.