Pelvic Exams Aren't Always Necessary and Could Even be Harmful: ACP

Pelvic exams are typically part of a routine health screening every year for women. However, a recent study published by the journal Annals of Internal Medicine shows that many of these may be unnecessary, painful and a potential waste of money and time. A new recommendation by the American College of Physicians (ACP) states that healthy women do not need to this "routine" exam.

"The pelvic examination has held a prominent place in women's health for many decades and has come to be more of a ritual than an evidence-based practice," Dr. George F. Sawaya and Dr. Vanessa Jacoby wrote in an editorial alongside the newly published recommendation reported by the Los Angeles Times.

For their research, experts from the ACP conducted an evidence review and found no research supporting the benefits of routine pelvic exams for diagnosing ovarian cancer. Visual and manual exams are not an accurate representation for identifying certain gynecological cancers either, as well as venereal or pelvic inflammatory disease or bacterial infections. In many cases, a pelvic exam may just not be the best way to test for these and other issues.

Furthermore, researchers found that roughly 60 to 80 percent of childbearing women may go through unnecessary discomfort during these exams which can also raise the price of their doctor's bill.

However, for women who may be dealing with pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding or sexual dysfunction, pelvic exams can still work as a necessary tool to evaluate certain issues.

Check with your primary care doctor.