Gynecological examination for virgins
A gynecological examination can be performed even if you are still a virgin. The gynaecologist will clarify in the first interview whether the girl or woman has already had sexual intercourse. If this is not the case, the examination will be performed with special care and with the use of smaller instruments.
The smear test can be omitted for girls who have not yet had sexual intercourse. However, since cancer screening is an important examination, the smear should still be taken after a certain age. The same applies if the patient has symptoms, as a smear test is then important in order to detect possible pathogens and initiate appropriate treatment.
In addition, the hymen usually does not cover the entire vaginal entrance. It is therefore quite possible to take a smear without damaging the hymen. Since many girls who are still virgins are particularly afraid of their first visit to the gynecologist, it is important that the doctor is particularly sensitive, takes his or her time and makes the examination as pleasant as possible.
Special features during pregnancy
During pregnancy, regular gynecological examinations are an absolute must in order to ensure a smooth course of the pregnancy and to recognize risks for mother and child at an early stage. Once the pregnancy has been established, a general gynecological examination is first performed, during which the pregnant woman is screened for certain diseases that could be dangerous for the unborn child, for example chlamydial infection, toxoplasmosis, syphilis and HIV.In addition, it is checked whether the pregnant woman has a sufficient defence against rubella. This should be the case with the vaccinations in childhood. Otherwise a rubella infection in pregnancy could become dangerous.
Ultrasound
As part of a gynecological examination, an ultrasound can also be done. Both the ultrasound examination through the abdominal wall or vagina and the ultrasound examination of the breast can be part of a gynecological examination. Ultrasound is usually used when the doctor wants to evaluate the uterus or ovaries based on certain symptoms of the patient.
If the patient wishes to have an ultrasound examination as a preventive measure, without any special reason, this is usually not a service provided by the health insurance company, so the woman has to bear the costs herself. The ultrasound examination can be performed with a transducer through the abdominal wall. However, the ovaries in particular are more visible when the vaginal transducer is used.
This is a pen-shaped transducer that is inserted into the patient’s vagina covered by a protective sleeve. The examination is usually not painful. Ovaries and uterus can be well visualized with this method.
Ultimately, the ultrasound can also be used by the gynaecologist to examine the breast if changes in the breast tissue are suspected. On the one hand, breast ultrasound can be used as part of breast cancer screening in women with very dense breast tissue. On the other hand, it is also popular with young women in whom palpation of the breast has revealed abnormalities and who are reluctant to be exposed to X-rays in classical mammography.
Regular gynaecological examinations during pregnancy always include a survey of the weight and abdominal circumference of the pregnant woman as well as a blood pressure measurement. The pregnant woman’s urine is also examined for elevated protein levels or sugar excretion. Finally, ultrasound is used to assess the baby’s stage of development.
Later on, the organs of the unborn child and its sex can also be assessed and possible malformations can be detected. A gynaecological examination should normally not cause any pain. The smear taken from the cervix can be somewhat uncomfortable for some women, but usually does not cause any persistent pain.
If there is an infection, such as a fungal infection of the vagina or other inflammatory processes, it may be painful for the gynaecologist to insert the speculum or perform the palpation. The pain is an important symptom that the doctor will look for in order to further classify the patient’s clinical picture. Nevertheless, the doctor will do her best to cause the patient as little pain as possible.
The normal cancer screening, which the patient attends without feeling any other discomfort, is usually completely painless. If pain should occur afterwards, it is possible that minor injuries were accidentally placed during the examination. However, the pain should then subside promptly. If the complaints persist, the gynecologist should be consulted again.