Expert: Norman Solberg - 12/29/2008

Question
Hello:

How young can a girl be to have a cervix examination?

If the young girl is too young, will the speculum be harmful or cause damage to her?

I thank you for your reply.

Answer
We have some very tiny specula, and if they are used gently and correctly they will not be harmful or cause damage.  We would avoid using a speculum in a very young girl, but sometimes it may be necessary because of her symptoms.  It's occasionally necessary to use a speculum in an infant to search for a possible foreign body (something stuck up the vagina).  Sometimes this would be done with general anesthesia.