Internal vaginal or rectal examination is different than a pelvic or prostate exam done by physician.
Female pelvic floor exam.
This is the gold standard and gives us the most detailed information about your pelvic floor.
The pt will then explain to you how physical therapy can help and why an internal examination is important for assessment and treatment.
Sources of pain or discomfort.
The pelvic floor also called the pelvic diaphragm is a bowl shaped muscular sheet whose main functions are to support the abdominal and pelvic organs and to control the opening and closing of the urethral and anal sphinters.
Muscle strength endurance co ordination and tone.
This can be through the vagina in the female or the rectum in the male.
An internal vaginal exam involves the insertion of 1 or 2 fingers into the vagina to individually assess for.
Some women have a pap smear done during a pelvic exam to screen for cervical cancer.
Position of pelvic organs.
But a pelvic exam may be done.
Integrity of pelvic ligaments.
It is performed to look at the muscles and connective tissue in the pelvic floor.
3 the pelvic floor rests at the bottom of the pelvis and is formed mainly by the levator ani muscle group.
The exam is done with a gloved finger placed in the vaginal or rectal canal.
Because of the location of the pelvic floor muscles the best way to assess and treat them is to work internally.
Several organizations consider pfus to be the reference standard for.