LADIES EXAMS: How have ladies' exams changed over the years?

How have your exams or your significant other's exams changed over the years?

My SO has exams less frequently. Seems PAPs are every few years instead of annually. She's less likely to have an internal or a bi-manual exam. And I'm told the exam rooms have tables that are less likely to have leg or foot rests, at least in a family medical practice.

I think this is supposed to be just about ladies' exams so I edited the name of the topic.

The OP asked about significant others exams as well, so that is why I am answering in this post for the ladies...

When I was in school in the 80's and early 90's, in my area, it was common and expected to begin routine gyn examinations at 18 years old, or the person begins having sex, whichever comes first. In the early days of birth control pills, most doctors required a full exam before they were prescribed. So it was not unusual for a 14 or 15 year old (or even younger) to start seeing a gynocologist or start pelvic exams. Once started, it seems most doctors recommended or required complete annual exams to continue the prescription.

Currently, I believe an exam is no longer required to get bc prescription, and exams aren't even recommended to start until 21-23. At a certain age, paps are transitioned to every 2-5 years instead of annually. Also at a certain age, mammograms are also recommended to be added to the annual fun.

I don't think the exams themselves have changed a lot. Things in the room have changed. Speculum is no longer metal, but plastic; the chair is now electric, which once wasn't, or not yet, where I used to go; the screens are no longer fabric, but of design (maybe some architect made it 🤭).

The recommendations for the frequency of Pap smears and HPV tests has changed from annual to every three years for women over thirty to every five years for women over fifty to no longer needed over 65.

That doesn't mean there's no reason to see your gynecologist. That's who's best qualified to deal with fibroids, pre- and peri-menopause, and full-on menopause. They still treat sexual functional issues due to aging, too.

I no longer see an OB-GYN annually, but I still see one when I have any issue.

The exam itself is largely unchanged. Some use plastic speculums now. Some include a brief rectal exam now; it's a good time to test for occult blood.

The main difference I notice is that the questionnaire before the exam is far more focused on issues relating to abuse, past and present. Nobody ever used to ask, but now it's standard.

They are SO FAST and lack thoroughness. Though I’d say that’s largely true of any and all “routine” healthcare. Ten years ago, I’d spend at least a half hour with a provider talking through family history, health concerns, helpful recommendations related to diet, lifestyle and sexual health. I understand a lot of this information is in my medical record, but it’s not even asked anymore (because if you disclose the information the provider needs to bill it through insurance as something non-routine).

I can’t really say the exam in and of itself has changed that much - but (at least to me) it feels like it’s over and done with within a minute. Lay down, quick feel around the breasts, move into the stirrups, quick have someone shove their fingers inside of you, quick look inside with the speculum - and done! Get dressed, see you again in five years.