Endometriosis: What to Expect from a Pelvic Exam

If your doctor suspects you have endometriosis, he will likely need to perform a pelvic exam.

• Your doctor or a nurse will have you lie down on the exam table. You will be given a sheet to put over your stomach and legs.
• You will need to move your bottom to the edge of the table and will need to put your feet in the stirrups.
• You will bend your kneed and spread them apart.
• Your doctor will now examine the outside of the vagina and will then use a speculum to examine the inside of your vagina and your cervix.
• Your doctor might need to perform a Pap smear at this point. She will insert as tiny brush into your cervix to gently remove some cells.
• Now, your doctor might use her gloved fingers to manually examine your vagina and pelvic area. She might also do a rectal exam.