So you are now on the table, your feet placed comfortable in the foot rests, your back supported and with mirror in hand, you've scooted your butt down to the edge of
the table and you have level eye contact. Your doctor should begin by examining your vulva, with gloved hands, gently pushing back your pubic hair and asking you to
respond if anything feels uncomfortable. What she/he looking for are any of the following; inflamations, visible std's (like a herpes, pubic crabs, lice) bruises and
tender areas.
The next step is to pull out the outer labia and gently roll it between finger and thumb (this is called palpating), again feeling for discomfort, lumps or sores.
This is repeated on the inner labia. The next step is to retract the clitoral hood, without touching your clitoris, just to confirm there are no areas of infection,
bruising or soreness. The next step is locating your urethra, lightly pressing it and asking if you feel any discomfort or experience incontinence. Finally the doctor
will look at your hymenal tags at the opening of your vagina. It is rare, but some women's hymens remain intact, and can cause discomfort during intercourse. Ask your
doctor to show you your hymenal tags, they are as unique as a fingerprint.
The next step involves your doctor inserting an index finger into your vagina (palm up) with the slightest pressure on the top wall of your vagina this will push out any
discharge from your urethra that could be harboring diseases. At this time you will be asked to "bear down" or "push out" this is to check for any bulging or protrusion
against the walls your vagina. Then the finger is flipped to the back wall of your vagina and again you are asked to "bear down" checking for similar protrusions and
bulges on the back side. The next request from your doctor should be to squeeze your pubococcygeus muscle (PC). If you don't know how to do it, you can and should
learn it right then and there. (It's squeezing to stop the flow of urine.)
The doctor's finger will then go deeper to find your cervix. Once located, your cervix will be swept around in a circle to check for position, shape, consistency, size
and tenderness, then lifted slightly up, Your doctor will place the other hand onto your abdomen, using the pads of the fingers and slight, gentle pressure to feel for
your uterus and your ovaries. This is called palpating. A doctor should be able to feel your uterus, determine whether it is in one of five positions, its size, shape,
consistency, mobility and any masses, lumps, or bumps. Then the doctor should feel for your ovaries in a similar way. Doctors have been known to miss or not find your
ovaries. A sure way to find them is to check for a pulse at approximately 3 and 9 o'clock positions on your cervix. This pulse will define a visual line to follow and
guide to the ovaries. I always define my ovaries as being the size of my eyeballs, with the consistency and movement of a goldfish in water. They will slip by the
exterior fingertips, but once located, can be checked the same as for my uterus.
A reminder.. A New View of a Woman's Body is worth every penny do take a look at the site it takes you to as well,
it is a GREAT resource. (reading this book changed my life)
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