What Happens At A Gynecological Exam?
What really happens at a gynecological exam? For a lot of people, the annual visit can feel more mysterious, and more stressful, than it needs to. A lot of the anxiety around the annual visit starts before the appointment even begins. Part of that is just not knowing what to expect once you’re in the room.
In this episode, Northwell OB/GYN Dr. Dana Almeida walks through what a typical gynecological exam actually involves, including breast exam, pelvic exam, Pap smear, and what a gynecologist is looking for during the visit. She also answers some of the questions patients are often most hesitant to ask, including: What is a Pap smear? Does a Pap smear hurt? What is a pelvic exam? And how often should you actually be getting screened?
What you’ll learn:
● What happens during a gynecological exam
● What are a pelvic exam and Pap smear
● Whether pelvic exams or Pap smears hurt
● Whether you should reschedule if you’re on your period
● How often you should get a gynecological exam or Pap smear
Episode highlights:
0:00 The biggest gynecological exam myth
0:19 Watch this before your next gynecologist visit
0:30 What happens when you walk in
1:17 Common questions patients have
1:55 What doctors are checking during the exam
2:31 What a pelvic exam actually feels like
3:58 What abnormal Pap smear results really mean
4:25 How often you actually need the exam
4:50 What your OB/GYN wants you to know
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