pelvic exams

At least 20 states, including Florida, already have consent laws for this practice. Montana’s governor signed a bill in April, Missouri has legislation that needs the governor’s signature and Ohio lawmakers are also considering it.

A bill says a requirement for written consent applies only to female patients and that pelvic exams include examinations of the internal reproductive system.

OB-GYNs and primary doctors disagree on whether women need a pelvic exam every year. When women were told a medical society recommended against it, they were much less likely to have the exam.

It’s the latest battle over screening: Should healthy women skip annual pelvic exams?A controversial recommendation last year by the American College of…