self examination - 3 steps

Self examination is easy, all you will need is a hand-held mirror, light or torch, and speculum; you may want a water based lubricant to make insertion of the speculum easier. Familiarise yourself with your speculum, practice opening and closing the speculum; and make sure you understand how to lock it open, as well as how to unlock and close the bills. Then sit comfortably; leaning back with your legs open, knees up, on a bed or couch with pillows behind you.



1. Put some KY jelly or water onto the insertable bills of the speculum. Breath in, as you exhale, let your muscles relax. To insert the speculum, hold it in one hand, handles up, bills together. Using your other hand, spread the labia (vaginal lips) and insert the bills of the speculum

2. When you have inserted it as far as it will comfortably go, open the bills using the mechanism on the handles that you practiced with earlier. You will feel the speculum stretch your vagina open. Lock the speculum into place, then you can release your grip on the handle and start your self examination. Hold the light and mirror. Shine the beam of the light into the mirror so it reflects into the vagina lighting up the internal space. Or shine the flashlight directly inside. Adjust the mirror and light so you can see inside. At the back of your vagina is your cervix. It looks like a small donut with a very small opening in the center.

3. When you are finished, unlock and close the speculum. Then slowly and gently pull the speculum out. You may smell the speculum to become familiar with your natural smell of secretions and examine the mucus picked up on the speculum. An acidic smell is not unusual. A yeasty or fishy odour may indicate an infection.