"internal examination"

When I was younger I used to often hear the expression "Internal examination" used by women such as my fellow students and girlfriends when refering to gynaelogical examinations.Do women still use that expression in UK or what do they say instead?

Smith

Yes - "I have to have an internal" is a common phrase - and I don't think its opening wide for the dentist either!

I think it's what you could probably describe as a "generic" term in the UK for an intimate examination, much as "pelvic exam" is used the same way by our friends in the USA.

Yes women still use the term internal examination. As do doctors I assume though have not had one in a while. When I went on the pill a long time ago the Dr talked to me about the options etc, checked my blood pressure and then she said last thing I want to do is a quick internal exam to check everything is fine can you take everything off below waist and lie on the couch please. I was wearing jeans at the time these days tend to wear full skirts for smears and stuff. Not sure the internal exam is routine now for going on the pill but in the 80's it seemed to be.

Lisa

In Canada, the term "internal exam" is still used and is done by doc's if the patient wants to go on the pill.

[quote author=lisapa7 link=topic=56894.msg380954#msg380954 date=1315129489]

....... she said last thing I want to do is a quick internal exam to check everything is fine can you take everything off below waist and lie on the couch please.

[/quote]

And sometimes the last thing ladies want is for it to be is quick?

Its always been reffered as pelvic exam or rectal exam to me not internal examination. but i think depends on who is going it. poss an internsit is more likely to refer to it as internal exam more so then say ur ob/gyn

Pelvic exam is the gyno examination of the area below the navel.

Gyno exam can also include exams such as breast exams. Of course

pelvic exams can also occur in a full physical exam.

External exam is the visual examination of the external genitalia.

Internal exam is the examination using the speculum to examine the vaginal walls as well as obtaining smear samples for pap and std tests etc.

Bi-Manual exam is the part where the examiner inserts 1-2 fingers into the vagina with the dominant hand and uses the other hand to press on the lower abdomen.

Recto-Vaginal is the repeat of the bi-manual exam with one finger inserted into the vagina and one in the rectum.

Rectal exam could be just a brief DRE or could be usage of some proctoscope, anuscope, or rectal speculum. This could be done with the patient in the lithotomy position or some other position etc.

I still call it an internal exam, as does my GP.

Lol my gp just said "errrm well i kinda have to have a look now".... it was just assumed he meant pelvic

Yes - as in "if you'd just like to turn on to your left side we'll do an internal"

I've only had one doctor who referred to it as an "internal" -- an OB when I had my second baby.

[quote author=chrissiewilliams23 link=topic=56894.msg385033#msg385033 date=1316539494]

yes - as in "if you'd just like to turn on to your left side we'll do an internal"

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Interesting, never had an internal on my side as the Dr always wants to press on abdomen to check the ovaries etc. What was this exam for, were you just on side or did you have to bend knees and was it just fingers in the vagina?

Lisa

Hi Lisa

I had to draw my right leg up. Then he examined me with one finger and then he inserted the speculum. Then he had me lie on my back while he put two fingers in and pressed on my stomach.

A "left lateral" examination is still listed in most medical text books but is less common now. It still has its purposes though.

Left lateral position is certainly described in books. Not usually used for a full gynaecological exam but, have used it in ladies to examine for uterine prolapse.