A vaginal examination will be offered by your physio in situations where this would provide helpful information about your symptoms, or where it may be helpful in treatment. The choice to have a vaginal exam during your appointment is completely up to you.

Is a vaginal exam safe?

Pelvic floor physiotherapists have extensive training in pelvic floor examination and infection control procedures to maximize the safety of pelvic floor examination. However as with any other medical procedure, a vaginal examination does still have a few risks, although these risks are very low.

The main risks can include a very small risk of infection, a risk of discomfort during the examination (please talk with your physio about this if you experience this), a very small risk of a small amount of bleeding and a small risk of allergy.

When is a vaginal exam not safe?

There are a few situations where your physiotherapist would recommend against a vaginal exam. These include:

  • Non-menstrual bleeding
  • Active infections- e.g. STI, untreated pelvic inflammatory disease, severe thrush infection
  • If you have a low lying placenta (placental previa) or an incompetent cervix
  • If you are pregnant and have been told you should not have intercourse
  • If you are pregnant in your first trimester this is a precaution for vaginal examination, but is usually considered safe

What should I tell my physio?

Please tell your physio if you have any known allergies, particularly to gloves and lubricants, if you feel anxious or unsure about a vaginal exam or if you have any experience in the past that you think would make your vaginal examination difficult or uncomfortable.

Can I have a vaginal exam on my period?

A vaginal exam is safe on your period. Whether you wish to have a vaginal exam on your period is completely up to you and whether you feel comfortable with this.

Do I need to prepare for a vaginal exam?

No preparation is needed at all for a vaginal exam.

Please do let your physio know if you have any questions.