Vaginal touch: an important examination for women

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Extract from the article: A classic examination performed during a gynaecological consultation, the vaginal touch has been questioned by doctors on the grounds that the disadvantages outweigh the expected benefits. It is said to be a factor of fear, anxiety, discomfort, pain,

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A classic examination performed during a gynaecological consultation, the vaginal touch has been questioned by doctors on the grounds that the disadvantages outweigh the expected benefits. It is said to be a factor of fear, anxiety, discomfort, pain, stress and discomfort. Should this examination during a gynaecological consultation be incriminated?

The vaginal touch is part of the gynaecological examination during a gynaecological consultation. According to Dr Bingo M'Bortché, Gynaecologist, Obstetrician, Head of the medical division of the Togolese Association for Family Welfare (ATBEF), « it allows the patient's pelvic organs to be palpated, which are not otherwise accessible, and to detect any abnormalities, in order to make a diagnosis or to propose tests to clarify the diagnosis. Sometimes it directs the necessary tests to make a diagnosis ».

How does the examination work?

Women are used to the vaginal touch examination, which is carried out at every gynaecological consultation. « The woman lies on her back on a gynaecological table with her thighs flexed and her feet resting on the stirrups. The clinical provider, doctor, midwife or medical assistant, after putting on an examination glove, introduces one or two fingers, in this case the index and middle fingers, into the vagina, respecting the technique for carrying out this examination. »

The provider, through this examination, assesses the position of the cervix, its opening, its consistency and its length. He also assesses the vaginal walls. « The vaginal touch combined with the abdominal palpation makes it possible to assess the orientation of the uterus, its size, its consistency and the presence of pain or not. It also allows us to assess the state of the lateral cul de sacs of the vagina in order to suspect an ovarian cyst, a tubal infection or a tubal ectopic pregnancy », says Dr Bingo M'Bortché.

In the absence of any gynaecological symptoms: pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, pathological discharge, « there are no studies in favour of the vaginal touch. We must recognise that the performance of this examination is average », the gynaecologist acknowledges. In any case, the vaginal touch must be done after informing the patient and obtaining her agreement.

William O.