Visiting a physician and allowing them to conduct a detailed examination of one’s most private body parts often triggers anxiety and discomfort among patients. Among the most sensitive of these procedures are genital and pelvic examinations, which expose patients to a deep sense of vulnerability. A Look Back in History Historically, pelvic examinations in women were almost exclusively performed by women, largely to ensure privacy and comfort.
Ancient Egyptian medical texts reference strict restrictions on male presence during childbirth and rituals involving female intimate care, with midwives taking on these responsibilities. Throughout the Middle Ages, midwives, nurses, and female attendants commonly managed such examinations. The situation changed in the early 1800s with the rise of modern medicine, when men—who dominated medical schools at the time—began performing pelvic exams.…
