Purpose of the Examination
You may be offered an examination during your first and other visits as part of a full assessment.
All examinations take only 1-5 minutes.
You will find out more about:
- Your ability to contract and relax your pelvic and surrounding muscles.
- What your muscles do during movement, coughing or straining.
- Your skin and tissue condition.
- What your tissues do during straining or coughing.
Informed Consent is Important
We aim to make you feel respected and safe at all times.
You can elect to have someone you trust in the room with you.
Clear communication helps.
You are free to ask questions or change your mind at any time.
Please read the following information before considering submitting consent.
We use a clean technique
We use a “clean” technique which means we wash our hands and put on vinyl gloves and lubricant.
Confidentiality
Your records are kept confidential on a computer on site, with a firewall and are password protected.
How do I give consent?
Your physiotherapist will show you how to submit written or online consent before an examination.
Your preparation
You may want to go to the toilet beforehand.
Remove your clothing and underpants behind the curtain.
Lie on your back (side for anal examination) with your bottom on the provided cloth. Cover yourself with the drape.
Your examination
When the physiotherapist is ready You will lift the drape so that your abdominal area and vaginal or rectal area can be clearly seen.
During the examination you will be instructed how to do pelvic floor exercises.
You may be asked to cough and strain (Don’t worry if you pass some gas, this is quite common and not offensive to the physiotherapist.)
At the end you will be given a tissue to wipe yourself that you can place in the bin. Then you can dress and wash your hands.
At the end you will be given a tissue to wipe yourself that you can place in the bin. Then you can dress and wash your hands.
Vaginal Examination
She may use an ordinary cotton bud to test your skin sensitivity.
Usually your physiotherapist will insert one finger at first and then a second finger to measure the stretchiness of your tissues.
When you have prolapse, often the best way to see it is during a standing or squatting examination.
Discuss this and be clear what you are willing to do in the examination.
Perineal Inspection
A perineal inspection means that your physiotherapist will be looking but not doing an internal examination.
This assessment is used sometimes if you are pregnant, have pain or skin sensitivity that prohibits internal examination.
She may use an ordinary cotton bud to test your skin sensitivity.
Ultrasound Examination – Not internal
The ultrasound head covered with a vinyl glove and gel will be placed on your vulval skin.
Anal Examination
Anal examination is only used if you have bowel problems.
The physiotherapist will insert a finger and follow the procedure described in "Your Examination."
Possible risks or discomfort
On the rare occasion that you have a problem the following information may be helpful.
Lubricant
Some people have a reaction to the lubricant.
Please tell us if you have ever had a reaction to any lubricant or have a tendency to react and we will use an alternative.
In this unlikely, unfortunate event that you have a reaction you would notice warmth or heat that would usually settle over a few days. You may need to use a cool facecloth or visit your chemist or GP for a settling cream.
Discomfort from the examination itself.
If you have had any discomfort from a similar examination in the past please tell your physiotherapist. You and your physiotherapist will discuss this. If you do experience discomfort help your physiotherapist by giving immediate feedback like "stop" or " moderate stinging" or "mild burning" or "severe pressure."
Discomfort from the examination position.
If you think lying on your back or side might aggravate other aches and pains please tell us.
Your physiotherapist can discuss an alternate or modified position with pillows to ensure you are more comfortable.