Pelvic exam during perimenopause or postmenopause

If you have had unusual menstrual or vaginal bleeding or other symptoms that may be caused by perimenopause or postmenopause, your health professional will do a pelvic exam to make sure your symptoms aren't related to an abnormal condition.

• A speculum exam is useful for noting changes in the vaginal walls, such as dryness or thinning related to low estrogen.
• A bimanual pelvic exam is used to check the size and position of the vagina, uterus, and ovaries. Any abnormalities can be further tested.

If your exam results are normal, your are unlikely to need further testing, particularly if your age and menstrual history strongly suggest that you are perimenopausal.