While breast self-exams are widely recommended for early detection of lumps, internal vaginal self-exams are generally not necessary for most people, according to gynecologists. However, there are specific situations where self-examination can be helpful, such as checking IUD placement or identifying the source of pelvic pain.
When Self-Exams May Be Useful
Dr. Karyn Eilber, a professor of urology and obstetrics-gynecology at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, explains that internal vaginal self-exams are rarely needed. “Breast self-exams are recommended because many breast cancers are found that way,” she said. “But it’s very difficult for a woman to give herself a thorough vaginal exam because the vaginal canal is usually longer than any woman can reach, and you can only see the entrance of the vagina.”
Dr. Christina Pardo, director of the women’s health practice at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, notes that self-exams are most commonly performed to check IUD strings. “You’ll know your IUD is out of place if you can’t find the strings or they feel shorter or longer than usual,” she said. Other reasons include inserting vaginal medications or contraceptive devices, external vulvar self-examination for skin changes, and vaginal self-sampling for testing if offered by a provider.
What About Detecting STIs or Cancer?
Self-exams are not effective for detecting sexually transmitted infections or early-stage cervical cancer. “HPV doesn’t cause a lump unless it has already caused cervical cancer and formed a tumor,” Eilber emphasized. “A self-exam is not going to pick up any sexually transmitted infection.” Regular gynecologist visits remain the best way to monitor vaginal health.
What to Do If You Feel a Lump
If you perform a self-exam and feel a lump, it is unlikely to be cancerous. “Usually, any soft lump, such as how you would imagine something filled with fluid would feel, is a cyst of the vagina that is nothing to worry about,” Eilber said. However, lumps that are “hard, irregular, fixed in place, rapidly growing or associated with bleeding or pain” should be evaluated promptly, Pardo noted. “While most lumps are benign, any new lump should be evaluated by your provider to determine the cause and whether treatment is needed,” she added.
When to Consult a Doctor
If you experience symptoms such as pain or a sensation of something coming out of the vagina (like a falling bladder, common after childbirth), a self-exam might help you describe the issue to your doctor. But these exams are not diagnostic. “The best way to stay on top of vaginal health is to see your gynecologist regularly,” Eilber said. Most people “do not need to examine their own vaginas, so if you are examining yourself only because you read this, try not to get worried if you feel small lumps and bumps. There is a good chance they have always been there, but you never checked.”
