WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for May, 1999: Re: ctal exams during WWE

Re: ctal exams during WWE

From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Fri, 21 May 1999 09:07:23 -0500 (CDT)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: betty: "information for all women"
Previous message: DuBose: "FW: hysterectomy"
In reply to: Sheila: "rectal exams during WWE"
Next in thread: rose: "Re: ctal exams during WWE"
Reply: rose: "Re: ctal exams during WWE"

At Wed, 19 May 1999, Sheila wrote: >
>I am a FP physician. I do a great deal of work in women's health. I
>was taught to perform a rectal exam with each WWE. In practice, I
>perform a rectal exam (RE) on everyone, other than initial paps and
>those who have never been sexually active.
>It seems to be a big controversy as to who should have rectals. Everyone
>agrees that anyone over 50 should get one each year. Some agree that
>anyone over 40 should get one each year. But what about those under 40
>who are otherwise asymptomatic?
>Are there any guidelines on this from the American College of
>Obstetricians and Gynecologists?

A rectal exam has another benefit, maybe one you never considered. I think women should be checked for pelvic floor muscle strength. Most women who are incontinent (urine or fecal), do not inform the doctor of this fact. They are too embarrassed. Also since most women do not even know what prolapse actually is, they are not aware that pelvic floor weakness could be a sign of organ prolapse. Pelvic floor muscle weakness contributes to organ prolapse. Not enough is being done to inform women of the importance of keeping muscle strength. Nor are they told the proper way to keep ALL of the muscles of the pelvic floor strong. Women are told to do kegals, but not told about prolapse. Prolapse is NOT uncommon, and it doesn't just happen to OLDER women. If women were told about prolase, maybe by changing their lifestyle they could prevent the extend of prolapse damage. Women should be told why it is dangerous for them to left heavy loads or move heavy furniture. They should be told cronic coughing and constipation contributes to prolapse. These things can be remedied. Women should be checked at each annual exam in a standing position. Their pelvic floor muscle strength should be checked too. Maybe a biofeedback unit should be a basic piece of equipment.

Next message: betty: "information for all women"
Previous message: DuBose: "FW: hysterectomy"
In reply to: Sheila: "rectal exams during WWE"
Next in thread: rose: "Re: ctal exams during WWE"
Reply: rose: "Re: ctal exams during WWE"

Women's Insurance Checklist from Auto Insurance Quote

use when must restrict search to only the women's health forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: