What Is a Pelvic Exam?

During a pelvic exam, a health care provider examines your pelvic area. It includes your vulva and your internal reproductive organs — your cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina.

During your pelvic exam, your provider will look for signs of infection and other conditions. It will most likely include taking a few cells from your cervix for a Pap test. This is to protect you from cervical cancer. Detecting problems early can help you get the treatment you need to keep healthy.

The pelvic exam is a very important part of a woman’s periodic gynecological visit — also called a gyn exam. Gynecology is health care for women. A gyn exam checks out a woman’s health — especially her sexual and reproductive health. It may include

• taking your medical history
• a general physical exam
• a breast exam
• tests for sexually transmitted infections
• a pelvic exam
• vaccinations
• talking with your health care provider and learning about any issues that come up during the visit