Skip the Screening Pelvic Exam?

As annual cervical cancer screening is no longer recommended, the value of pelvic examination for asymptomatic women has been questioned. In a literature review, the American College of Physicians (ACP) found that screening pelvic examination rarely identified treatable conditions and was not associated with improved health. False positives are common and generate emotional distress and physical harms from unnecessary laparoscopy and laparotomy. Women (particularly those with histories of sexual violence) may also experience fear, anxiety, embarrassment, pain, and discomfort with pelvic examination. The ACP notes that, as a screen for chlamydia or gonorrhea, pelvic examination is far less sensitive than testing urine or self-collected vagin…