Doctors Say Vaginal Self-Exams Are Usually Unnecessary, Useful in 3 Specific Cases
Updated
Updated · HuffPost · Jun 22
Doctors Say Vaginal Self-Exams Are Usually Unnecessary, Useful in 3 Specific Cases
2 articles · Updated · HuffPost · Jun 22
Summary
Doctors said internal vaginal self-exams generally are not needed and should not replace regular gynecologist visits, even as some people use them for reassurance between appointments.
Dr. Karyn Eilber said self-exams rarely detect the problems people worry about most: the vaginal canal is hard to examine thoroughly, HPV usually does not create a palpable lump, and STIs cannot be diagnosed that way.
Specific uses include checking IUD strings, locating pain or possible prolapse symptoms such as a "falling bladder," and helping insert vaginal medications or devices; some higher-risk patients may also benefit from external vulvar skin checks.
Doctors said most internal bumps are normal anatomy or benign cysts, but hard, irregular, fixed, fast-growing, bleeding or painful lumps should be evaluated promptly by a clinician, who may order imaging such as ultrasound.