Keeping Your Reproductive System Healthy The Pelvic Exam Learn about the pelvic exam, an important aspect of a woman's preventive health care. How To Relax During The Pelvic Exam Having a pelvic exam may be a little uncomfortable. Here are some tips to help you avoid unneccessary anxiety. Get Your Answers Ready Here are some questions to prepare for before the pelvic exam. Pap Test The Pap test (Papanicolaou smear) is an examination that is used to detect cervical cancer and precancerous conditions of the cervix. What Your Pap Smear Results Mean Understand your Pap smear results and the options available to you if the results are abnormal. Digital Rectal Exam The digital rectal exam is a physical examination of the rectum, the last few inches of the bowel, just above the anus. Copyright 2001-2012 Aetna Inc. Web Privacy Statement | Legal Statement | Privacy Notices | Member Disclosure