Pelvic Exam

Summary of recommendations for clinicians and policy-makers

The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC) has adopted the American College of Physicians (ACP) 2014 recommendation on the use of pelvic examinations to screen for cancer (other than cervical), pelvic inflammatory disease, and other gynecologic conditions.The recommendation applies to screening pelvic examination in asymptomatic, nonpregnant, adult women. However, it should be noted that pelvic examination is appropriate in other clinical situations, such as for diagnosis of gynecological conditions when women present with symptoms or for follow up of a previously diagnosed condition.

Recommendations

• The CTFPHC recommends not performing a screening pelvic examination to screen for noncervical cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, or other gynecological conditions in asymptomatic women.
  (Strong recommendation; moderate-quality evidence)

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Additional Documents

• ACP Clinical Practice Guideline
• Systematic Review (pdf)