Pain & Anxiety Management

Exams and Procedures: Your Comfort Matters Pelvic exams are challenging for many patients. I am committed to making your exam as comfortable as possible! Your Rights: You have the right to refuse any physical exam, including a pelvic exam I will not withhold treatment or medication in exchange for physical exam completion You can withdraw your consent and abort an exam or procedure at any time I do have an obligation to have a yearly visit with you to continue medication therapy – in some cases, this can be done virtually. I will share my recommendations for treatment and for exams and the rationale, but your consent must be granted to me to proceed. Alternative Options: There are alternative options to an exam in many circumstances, for example self-collection of swabs for STI or vaginitis concerns. Comfort Measures Available: We can also consider a virtual or in-office consultation visit to prepare for an exam or procedure. At that time, we can discuss comfort measures including: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications Local anesthetic (numbing) medications Light sedation Read ACOG's guidelines on pain management for gynecological procedures