Exam Overview

A gynecological exam includes:

• Visual exam of the vulva and the area around the genitals.
• Speculum exam.
• Bimanual pelvic exam.
• Rectal exam.
• Rectovaginal exam.
• For diagnosing genital warts, the visual exam and the speculum exam are the most important

Some health professionals may use an acetowhite test to make the warts more visible. A vinegar solution (weak acetic acid) may be applied to the skin to show the difference between normal and abnormal tissue. A slight burning sensation may occur when the acetic acid is applied. The acetowhite test is not used routinely to confirm the presence of genital warts.

The size, position, and appearance of the rectum, vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries are determined during these exams.

Why It Is Done

A gynecological exam may be done as part of a routine checkup or to determine whether genital warts or other sexually transmitted diseases are present.

Results

Findings of a gynecological exam may include the following.

Normal

Genital warts are not seen during the exam. HPV may be present even if the exam is normal and no genital warts are seen. Many women infected with HPV do not have visible genital warts.

Abnormal

Genital warts are seen during the exam. Treatment is based on:

The number of warts visible.
Your symptoms.
Your preferences.
An HPV infection that causes an abnormal Pap test will be treated differently than HPV causing visible genital warts.

What To Think About

Genital warts may first be discovered during a routine gynecological exam. Many women do not notice genital warts if the warts are small or are on the vagina or cervix.