Terminology & Sexual Health: Where Did the Term “Premarital Exam or Visit” Come From?
Medicine has come a long way from where it was sixty (or more!) years ago. What some people have heard of as a “premarital exam” is based on health care practice information from the 1950s that wasn’t even standard across the health care industry.*
Today some people think of a premarital exam as an exam with your doctor before you have sexual activity for the first time. In reality you do not need a physical exam (pelvic exam) before having sex for the first time.
A sexual health visit can help you with any questions and allow you to establish a relationship with a care provider.
Learn more about sexual health visits.
*The Premarital Examination, 1958, Paul Sholten, MD https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/324822