Physical examination of abdomen when there is a uterine mass ?

Posted , 5 users are following.

I went to a gynaecologist clinic appointment. Consultant gynaecologist proceeded to physically examine my lower abdomen.

He pressed his 4 fingers deeply onto my lower abdomen til the point that I screamed. He told me he would request an MRI.

I left this clinic appointment and I started thinking if pressing 4 fingers deeply into my abdomen is a correct physical examination when there is a large uterine mass because I do not see any other doctors physically examining me pressing four fingers deeply to the point of hurting.

Does anyone know if this kind of physical examination is correct ? Thanks.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Anamaria16,

    Sorry to hear you're experiencing pain. I have been examined a few times and in all occasions they've examined my lower abdomen by pressing on it to see if I experience any discomfort. I've since had a scan and have been diagnosed with fibroids which I am trying to shrink using a number of natural remedies. I'm not a doctor so I can't say whether the process of pressing the belly is normal but I can say that every time I've complained about stomach pain this has been my experience. I hope that helps. 

    Lavinia 

    • Posted

      Thanks for your reply.

      I was just wondering if pressing 4 fingers vertically deeply into the abdomen was a correct form of physical examination because I have not seen any other doctor doing it to me.

      I will speak to my GP or try to send an email to a consultant gynaecologist to check if this method of physical examination is with current guidelines.

      Thanks again for your reply. It always helps to read another person's point of view.

  • Posted

    Hi Annamaria, Me again. I think they do this, I had this as part of my pre-op although the mass was fairly large so quite easy to see. It was really painful.

    When I had my initital consulation, I had a registrar and students and they put their fingers up inside me and poked at the fibroid internally, that was really painful and for days after it got worse, was very sore.The regsitrar even invoted a student to 'come and feel what an abnormal womb is like' obviously I left in tears.

    I think pressing your abdomin is fairly common. It is a way of seeing how painful it is. Not a fun experience though I'll grant you.

    • Posted

      Thanks,

      I thought there was no need to press the 4 fingers so hard and to make me scream.

      Only pressing my lower abdomen slightly with the palm of a hand is already painful but I guess, it might be common practice.

      Just wondering maybe, then,  if this practice of "pressing 4 fingers" deeply into the abdomen should be stopped.  Just wondering if it does any good to be "poking" on fibroids when an MRI gives a more accurate picture of what is happening.

      I do not know,  I thought there was no need for such a harsh physical examination and as well it left me wondering if it can do harm to the fibroid "poking" with fingers when MRIs and Ultrasound investigations provide with visual information of the fibroids.

      Thanks for your answer. 

    • Posted

      I totally agree, I felt my examination was too rough. The thing is because you do not know what to expect you have no idea what is supposed to be right.

      When I went in for my examination I had been told during my scan that there was a small cyst 'nothing to worry about' at the back of my womb. My GP referred me for an examination as she said she was not sure what the results were saying, but no one explained anything to me. I had no idea that there was actually something wrong until the end of my appointment when they explained what op I needed. Naive I know, but no one indicated otherwise.

      I was later told that when they did the scan they were really worried it was something nasty.

      I really think they should explain things better and then you would know what to expect. Luckily people on here are good at giving information. I realised that my examination did not seem right at the time, but you are very vulnerable when you are there. During my examination they still thought I had a ovarian cyst, I am convinced that poking at it (and it was painful) was not the right way to examine me. Let alone have another student (who I understand has to train) poke me, whilst another stood at watching and making notes in a book. I only found out I would have students on the Saturday and my appointment was the Tuesday, I was asked if that was ok, however I did not want to wait any longer. What they described over the phone very briefly would happen was dragged out a lot longer than necessary. I ended up with about 1 hour and half. Same questions over and over, lots of  poking and then me in tears for quite a while. 

      This was when they said it would be a 16 week wait for surgery as it was not urgent, unfortunately during that time I stopped being able to eat and ended up in A&e having an emergency op.

      I never had an MRI scan

      Talk to your GP if you were not comfortable. Like I said you are vulnerable and actually it is quite a dificult thing to go through with so much uncertainty. 

       

  • Posted

    I have also been examined by pressing to see the size of it and he guessed the uterus was the size of 5 month preganacy. It did not hurt as he did not press so hard.
    • Posted

      How did the doctor press on the mass ? With the palm of his hand or pushing 4 fingers vertically deeply into the mass ?

       

    • Posted

      No, he did not press deeply, he used his whole hand and pressed down
    • Posted

      Yes, that it is what I see other doctors doing. They press using the palm of their hands instead of pushing 4 fingers vertically deeply into the mass.

      Thanks for your reply

  • Posted

    I have a large fibroid and saw a gynaecologist a month ago.  He just did an ordinary internal examination and I cant say that I felt any pain.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.