A medical history
The first step in diagnosing your problem is a medical history. The doctor,or sometimes the nurse,will ask you questions about your medical history. This will include questions about your symptoms and any serious illnesses you have had, as well as whether you have ever had surgery, been pregnant, or had children. You also may be asked about the medical history of close family members.If you have been using herbs, acupuncture, or other "natural remedies," be sure to tell your doctor about them.
The doctor may ask about your sex life. You may be uncomfortable talking about such personal matters, but it is important for your doctor to know if something that is happening in your sex life might be related to your condition.
A vaginal exam
The doctor will use instruments to look inside your cervix and uterus. The doctor will use a speculum to keep the walls of the vagina apart during the exam. Sometimes this exam is uncomfortable. You may feel a slight cramp, but it usually is not painful. If you are able to relax, you will be more comfortable. The doctor may look inside the vagina and cervix with a lighted tube.A Pap test (or Pap smear)
During the vaginal exam, the doctor usually takes a sample of cells from the cervix with a wooden scraper, cotton swab, or small brush. The test is quick and painless. The cells are placed on a glass slide, which is sent to a lab. A Pap test is one way that doctors can find cancer of the cervix or dysplasia, which is a condition that sometimes can turn into cancer.All women over 18 years of age--and younger women who are sexually active--should have a Pap test done every 1 to 3 years.
Laboratory tests
The doctor will take a sample of your blood and a urine specimen and send them to a lab to be examined. The results of these tests will tell the doctor a lot about your general health.Imaging tests
There are many ways to look inside the body without surgery. X-rays are the most well known. Your doctor may also suggest a sonogram, CAT scan, or MRI. These tests help the doctor to learn more about your body and what is causing your problem.Depending on your symptoms, the doctor may suggest an endometrial biopsy, dilation and curettage (D & C), or other tests to help diagnose your problem.
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Reprinted from the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR)
