When it comes to gynecological exams for women, many women instinctively feel repulsed, but in fact it is necessary for women to have regular gynecological exams every year, especially if they have a history of sexual intercourse. Gynecological examination is a very common examination, which mainly examines the vagina, cervix and uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and parametrial tissues and the inner wall of the pelvic cavity. The main purpose is to make early diagnosis, prevention and early treatment of some gynecological diseases.
How often should I have a gynecological examination?
1.Gynecological examination (once a year)
Cervical smear test to prevent cervical cancer caused by human papilloma virus (HPV). Next is pelvic examination, breast examination and lymph node examination in the armpit and supraclavicular area.
2.Self-examination of breast (once a month)
Develop a good habit of self-examination to familiarize yourself with the normal shape of your breasts and how they feel when you touch them, so that once there is an abnormality, it is easy to be alerted.
The best time to check is after menstruation, when the breasts are softer and not swollen, which is conducive to a sensitive sense of touch. Self-examination in the bath is best: the skin is moistened by soap, which helps the fingers to move smoothly on the surface of the breast.
3. X-ray fluoroscopy of the breast
If mother or sister has breast cancer, this examination is required.
4.Comprehensive physical examination (done every 5 years)
Women in this age group are generally less prone to diseases, but it is still necessary to have a comprehensive medical checkup every 5 years. Doctors will ask detailed questions about personal medical history, relevant family history and some problems with personal habits, and then take blood tests. In addition, a glucose tolerance test, liver and spleen palpation, as well as urinalysis and hematocrit tests should be done. The purpose of all these tests is to rule out diseases that have no conscious symptoms.
What exactly should be checked?
I. Internal examination
For women with sexual experience, the obstetrician and gynecologist will use internal examination, which means that the female patient is asked to lie on the examination table, must take off her panties, and then put her feet on a specific bracket, the doctor then uses the index and middle fingers with gloves to gently insert your vagina and touch the cervix, while using the other hand to press on the abdomen, you can check whether the uterus is enlarged, or the fallopian tubes, ovaries This is a good way to check if the uterus is enlarged or if the fallopian tubes or ovaries are enlarged or tumors. This step is more suitable for those who have already had sexual experience, but those who have not had sexual experience will not do it because they have concerns about hurting their hymen.
Leukorrhea routine
Leukorrhea is a mixture of vaginal mucous membrane exudate, cervical canal and endometrial gland secretion, etc. Its formation is related to the action of estrogen.
The general leucorrhea routine laboratory test list has the following tests.
1. pH value
After puberty, due to the stimulation of ovarian sex hormones, the mucous membrane epithelial cells are rich in animal starch, which turns into lactic acid after decomposition by vaginal bacilli, resulting in weakly acidic vaginal secretions, which can prevent pathogenic bacteria from multiplying in the vagina, which is the self-purifying effect of the vagina. The pH value is often used in laboratory tests to indicate the pH level, which is 4.5 when normal.
2.Vaginal cleanliness
It can be divided into 4 levels.
Degree Ⅰ: Microscopically, a large number of vaginal epithelial cells and a large number of vaginal bacilli are seen.
Degree II: Microscopically there are vaginal epithelial cells, a few white blood cells, some vaginal bacilli, and a few miscellaneous bacteria or pus cells.
Degree III: Microscopically seen with a few vaginal bacilli and a large number of pus cells with miscellaneous bacteria.
Degree Ⅳ: microscopically no vaginal bacilli, except for a few epithelial cells, mainly pus cells and miscellaneous bacteria.
Note: Ⅰ to Ⅱ degree is normal, Ⅲ to Ⅳ degree is abnormal leucorrhea, indicating vaginal inflammation.
3.Mycobacteria and trichomonas
If trichomonas or mycobacteria are present, regardless of their number, they are indicated by “+”. The symbol of “+” only indicates that the woman is infected with trichomonas or mycobacteria, but not the severity of the infection.
4. Amine test
Bacterial vaginosis can give off a fishy smell in the leukorrhea, which is caused by the volatilization of amines present in the leukorrhea through the alkalization of potassium hydroxide.
5. Clue cells
It is the most sensitive and specific sign of bacterial vaginosis. Clinicians can make the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis based on the positive amine test and the presence of clue cells.
Bacterial culture test (BV test)
A smear of vaginal secretions can be obtained in 20 minutes to detect the causative agent of bacterial vaginosis. If there is no mycobacteria or trichomonas and the cleanliness is 3 degrees or more, the test is needed.
IV. Mycoplasma Chlamydia test
The cervical mucus test is taken to confirm the diagnosis of non-gonococcal vaginitis with mycoplasma chlamydia infection. The test is needed if you have sexual intercourse, especially if you have painful intercourse, if you have a small abdominal cramp, if you have more than 2 sexual partners, if you have persistent medication that does not improve or if you have recurrent attacks, and if you have cervical inflammation. Virgins are generally not infected and do not need to be examined, and most of the results on the spot are fraudulent!
V. Drug sensitivity test
If diagnosed with non-gonococcal vaginitis, this experiment is important to choose the right antibiotic for you. Drug sensitivity test: S-sensitive, M-medium sensitivity, R-resistant.
VI. Cervical Screening
Cervical cancer screening
Like other diseases, early detection and early treatment of gynecological diseases are very important. In addition to healthy habits and lifestyles, regular medical checkups are also important in the prevention and treatment of gynecological diseases. Therefore, it is best for adult women to have regular gynecological checkups once a year in order to detect hidden diseases in time and also to facilitate the monitoring of problems that have already appeared.