A rectal examination by a gynecologist, that is, when a gynecological examination of the female genitalia is carried out through the rectum, is part of a routine manual examination, but it is not always done. As a rule, it is an alternative to vaginal research.
Indications for rectal examination
Gynecological examination in women through anus is performed in the following cases:
- with stenosis and atresia of the vagina;
- in virgins;
- with cancer of the uterus, to establish how widespread the tumor process;
- in order to clarify the state of pararectal tissue, sacro-uterine ligaments in various inflammations;
- in ovarian cancer in order to clarify the nature of the tumor process;
- with parametrites.
Inspection procedure
- Before such an examination, a cleansing enema is first done.
- The doctor then examines the anus, the sacrococcygeal region and the perineum, while paying attention to the traces of scratching in the perianal region and perineum, cracks in the anus, and hemorrhoids.
- Then the doctor inserts the finger of one hand into the rectum, and palpates the internal genital organs through the anterior abdominal wall.
- During the examination, the tone of the sphincters and the state of the pelvic floor muscles are determined, the sites of pain sensations or volumetric formations are determined.
- Also note the nature of the secretions on the glove after extraction of the finger from the rectum - pus, mucus, blood.
A more extensive picture can be given by a combination of rectal and vaginal examination (recto-abdominal examination), which allows you to feel the uterus with appendages and find out the condition of the ligaments of the pelvic peritoneum and uterus. This study is conducted in postmenopausal women to identify tumors of the rectum, the vaginal wall, or the rectal-vaginal septum.