When you have a gynaecological examination, you lie down in a special chair, with your legs apart and resting on special leg supports. The gynaecologist will first examine your external genital organs, and then your ovaries and uterus, using his or her hands and fingers. The gynaecologist will then use a small spatula-like device known as a speculum to look up into the vagina and cervix. Many gynaecologists will also carry out an ultrasound examination. The ultrasound equipment, which looks something like a vibrator, emits and receives ultrasound simultaneously. It is placed inside the vagina and shows, amongst other things, the shape of the uterus and the ovaries. It also allows the gynaecologist to check that there are no myomas (harmless tumours formed from muscle tissue) or other types of tumour. Find out more in the article entitled “A visit to the gynaecologist – pleasurable, routine or scary?”