Is It Time to Abandon the Routine Pelvic Examination in Asymptomatic Nonpregnant Women?

Abstract

In this issue of JAMA, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reports its recommendation statement on screening for gynecologic conditions with a pelvic examination in asymptomatic, nonpregnant women.1 Based on a rigorous assessment of available research studies, their respective methodological quality, and the associated harms and benefits,2 the task force determined that “current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of performing screening pelvic examinations in asymptomatic, nonpregnant adult women. (I statement)