sey theThe value of pelvic examination for healthy asymptomatic women has been called into question given the lack of benefit for ovarian and endometrial cancer screening, the ability to screen for sexually transmitted infections without a pelvic examination, and the uncoupling of the procurement of contraception with a pelvic examination. Still, there are indications for performing pelvic examinations in symptomatic women and in some high risk women. How do we as clinicians apply current evidence and expert opinion to our medical practice? Our recommendation to consider a pelvic examination at 3−5-year intervals with cervical cancer screening to elicit gynecologic and sexual health concerns offers a compromise between continuation of unnecessary annual pelvic examinations and complete elimination of these examinations.
Keywords: bimanual • pelvic examination • screening • speculum examination
BackgroundPelvic examination indications for healthy asymptomatic women have encompassed such preventive services as screening for cancer and infection. They have been associated with contraception counseling, evaluation and initiation. In previous years, pelvic examinations were performed annually for women in conjunction with cervical cancer screening, regardless of medical history or symptoms. In the past decade, cervical cancer screening guidelines have changed significantly favoring less frequent screening for most women. The most recent national guideline updates from the USA recommend cervical cytology every 3 years for women aged 21 years and older and include the option of 5-year cervical cytology/high-risk HPV co-testing for women 30-65 years old [1][2][3]. This has resulted in a major change in healthcare visit frequency. Women no longer need to schedule annual appointments for cervical cancer screening. Healthcare providers and researchers appropriately question the value of the annual pelvic examination for healthy asymptomatic women, its relationship to other gynecologic and preventive healthcare, and seek guidance regarding counseling patients. Herein, we will review traditional indications for pelvic examinations and review evidence and best practices from the USA and around the world. We will provide our perspective on answering the question: 'Should the annual pelvic examination go the way of annual cervical cytology?'
What does a pelvic examination include?A comprehensive pelvic examination entails more than cervical cancer screening. It generally includes visualization of the external genitalia, a speculum examination of the vaginal and cervix, a bimanual examination of the uterus and adnexal areas, and a rectovaginal examination. The examination may include collection of cervical cytology (with or without HPV testing) for cervical cancer screening and endocervical or vaginal specimens to evaluate for infection. Pelvic examinations have commonly been performed for screening, symptom assessment and surveillance [4].Should the annual pelvic examination go the way of annual cervical cytology? Kathy
Pelv...