Routine gynecological care is essential for all women. The annual exam consists of a breast exam, pelvic exam, pap smear, and sometimes a rectovaginal exam. Every woman should have an annual Pap smear as part of a complete pelvic examination beginning 3 years after having vaginal intercourse but not later than 21 years of age and continuing as determined by her healthcare provider. UT students may use The University Health Services Women's Health clinic located in the SSB with an all female staff.

If you are a trangendered student and you would rather receive women's health services in the UHS General Medicine Clinic versus our Women's Health Clinic (or if you are a student who has this preference for any other reason), just tell our appointment staff the reason(s) you are seeking care and that you prefer an appointment in the General Medicine Clinic. They will schedule you accordingly.

Why do I need an exam?

Does it Hurt?

The exam itself usually lasts only two to five minutes. You may feel some pressure, but not necessarily pain. You will feel more comfortable during the exam if you can breathe slowly and keep your vaginal muscles relaxed.

What happens during the exam?

You will undress from the waist down; you may keep your socks on for warmth. If your healthcare provider plans to do a clinical breast exam, you will be asked to remove the rest of your clothing as well. You will be given a sheet to cover you.

You'll be asked to lie down on your back on the exam table. Sliding your buttocks down to the end of the table, you will rest your feet on holders, called stirrups, which are located at the same height as the exam table.

First, your health care provider will examine your external genital area to evaluate you for signs of disease or abnormalities.

Then the healthcare provider will examine the inside of the vagina using a speculum. The speculum is a slender instrument shaped like a duck bill, which slides inside the vagina much like a tampon. With the speculum in place, your provider can see your cervix (the mouth of your uterus or womb).

Your healthcare provider will use a small plastic spatula or a brush to rub some cells from the cervix for a Pap smear. These cells are placed on a glass slide and sent to a laboratory for analysis. A Pap smear tests for precancerous or cancerous changes in your cervix. You will be contacted if your Pap smear shows any abnormal cells.

Chlamydia or gonorrhea testing, if necessary, is done by swabbing the cervix with cotton swabs before the speculum is removed. Again, you will be contacted if the results are abnormal.

If symptoms of any other vaginal infection are present, your healthcare provider will take a sample of your vaginal secretions with a cotton swab for examination under a microscope.

After the speculum is removed, your healthcare provider will put lubricating gel on his or her gloved fingers and gently insert one or two into your vagina while pressing on your abdomen with the other hand. This procedure, called a bimanual exam, allows the provider to examine your uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. He or she will check for their proper size and placement, indications of abnormal growths, the presence of pain, or other signs which might indicate a need for further testing.

Remember

You should have a pelvic exam and a Pap smear every year. You do not automatically have a Pap smear every time you have a pelvic exam-only if you are due for one. Sometimes only a pelvic exam is done to look for infections or other problems. Always ask your provider what tests are being done. Be proud of your body and take care of it!