Pelvic Examinations in the Adolescent and Young Adult Population: A Commentary on Why and When

Various professional organizations have weighed in on the practice utility of speculum examinations. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and American College of Physicians (ACP) have recommended against internal pelvic examinations in asymptomatic patients, whereas the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has encouraged shared decision making. Although a pelvic examination can be a stressful event for adolescents, studies have shown that early discussions and performing the examination in a trusting environment can mitigate the worries and improve the patient-provider relationship. In this commentary, we discuss the literature and conclude that performing a pelvic examination in the asymptomatic adolescent and young adult patient is ultimately a matter of shared decision making. The benefits of conducting the examination in a nonthreatening environment, minimizing "exceptionalization" of the female genitalia, and strengthening the patient-provider relationship should be highlighted during the discussions.