Seeing the Gynaecologist in the UK

In the UK routine smears are done by the gp or practice nurse. Not a gynaecologist. You usually just have to slip your knickers off under your skirt and don't get a full internal exam in my experience. However, my first gyno exam experience was being referred to a consultant gynaecologist at our local hospital. He examined me nude (although draped) and he did a breast exam as well. I was also put in the stirrups and given a full internal examination. It was all rather more full on than just slipping your knickers off like you do at the gp for a smear. I'd be interested to know if others have had similar experiences.

If you like we can talk about the difference in the, USA My contact info is in my profile .

Chrissie, Your experience is pretty well the standard routine when referred to a gynaecologist. A full examination will almost always be carried out during the first referral regardless of the reasons for it. Procedures such as a cervical smear or swabs can be included/excluded depending on your medical history or how recently the last smear was etc.

I've had two gyn exams in the uk, one with my GP and on with a hospital gynaecologist, I went to both in jeans (I rarely wear a skirt) and in both cases I simply was asked to take off my jeans and knickers. Neither exam used stirrups, just a flat exam table. Like many women in the uk I've never experienced stirrups.

Here in the US, most GP's & GYN's have foot stirrups for any kind of exam of the female genitals, internal or just visualizing the genitals. Although truth be told, whenever any doctor is doing any kind of exam of a woman's genitals, they always end up performing an internal, too. I remember one time about 10 yrs ago, I had a reaction to a brazilian waxing of my public hair. My skin got very red & sore. I wnt to the doctor hoping he'd just give me a perscription for some cream. Even though I had seen him a few months before & he had given me a full physical exam, including my pelvic, he gave me a full pelvic exam before telling me I had an allergic reaction to the Brazialian waxing. The only thing he didn't repeat was a Pap smear. But, he did do a speculum exam as well as a vaginal digital exam & a rectal exam. In this country, woman get used to being up in stirrups having their doctor examining every part of their genitals.