COMPLETE
HEALTHCARE FOR
WOMEN IN COLUMBUS

Gynecological services are characterized by treatment, care, and other services for women’s reproductive health, as well as general health. Many people think that gynecological services simply describe the procedures involved in annual gynecological exams, namely the pelvic exam and the Pap smear. But, gynecological services and care extend far beyond the pelvic exam and the Pap smear. However, the pelvic exam and the pap smear are two very crucial components of comprehensive gynecological care.

The pelvic exam is an examination of a woman’s uterus, ovaries, cervix, and fallopian tubes; in other words, a pelvic exam is an inspection of a woman’s internal reproductive organs. The purpose of a pelvic exam is to ascertain whether or not the woman’s internal reproductive organs are healthy and with no presence of abnormalities, such as potentially cancerous tumors or growths caused by STDs.

To do the pelvic exam, the doctor or nurse practitioner will first examine the outer vagina- or as it is technically known, the vulva- and then use one hand to insert two lubricated fingers into the vagina to provide an upward pressure so that the other hand can feel the uterus, ovaries, cervix, and fallopian tubes with the other hand through the outside of the lower abdomen. This is done so that the doctor or nurse practitioner can feel for any irregularities, such as enlarged or sensitive areas, as well as allowing the patient to indicate any feelings of discomfort, pain, or tenderness. Sometimes, the rectum may also be examined during a pelvic exam.

The Pap smear often performed during the middle of a pelvic exam. The doctor or nurse practitioner will insert a speculum into the vagina. The speculum is a medical instrument that holds open the vaginal opening just wide enough that the doctor or nurse practitioner can look at the cervix- to look for any visual abnormalities- and then physically take a sample of cells from the cervix using a small, soft brush. It is this sampling that is known as the Pap smear or the Pap test.

The purpose of the Pap smear is to test for indications of cancerous cervical cells. A second swab may be taken after a Pap smear to test for sexually transmitted diseases as well as other infections.

The pelvic exam and the Pap smear are both the first, principal steps in comprehensive gynecological care. They will indicate whether or not further, specialized gynecological treatments and care will be needed as well as what types of gynecological treatments and care may be needed.

In the presence of abnormalities or irregularities, one or more distinct gynecological tests or treatments may be performed. These types of gynecological tests and procedures include, but are not limited to:

• Abnormal Pap Smears
• Evaluation and Diagnosis of Causes for Pelvic Pain and/or Abnormal Bleeding
• Treatments for Urinary Incontinence
• Evaluation and Treatment of Infertility
• Birth Control Evaluations