Question about rectal exam

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I am 18 and recently had my first pelvic exam and the doc (male) said (before the exam started) part of the exam was a rectal exam I asked if we could skip that part and he said it was important to check that everything devoloped normally so I agreed and got the exam I have read on the net and it says you don't need a rectal until 40 years old so was he feeding me a line of crap and also how many of you have recieved rectal exams

rachel

Specializes in ER.

Yow! I have been missing out! I have never had a rectal exam with a pelvic. Hmmm...is it a regional thing? :chuckle I am going to have to start polling my family!

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Specializes in CCU (Coronary Care); Clinical Research.

Funny timing on this thread. After I got a "real" (vs. being a student) job and didn't qualify for state health care any longer...I had to find a differenty gyn. The first appointment he just did the pap/vag exam...afterwords, he talks to me in his office and brings up the rectal exam...asked if I had ever had one...none of my other providers had ever done one...so this dr. goes on to explain the exam, why he would be doing it, etc., told me to think about it and that he would ask to do the rectal in addition to everything at my next yearly exam...I really appreciated his approach...even though I had a whole year to think about it :rolleyes: I went ahead and had it done this year, even though I am young, healthy, and don't have any CA in my family...it wasn't comfortable but it wasn't so bad...only took a second...I think the important thing was that the doctor took time to explain the procedure (a whole year in advance...) and make sure I was comfortable with it...

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Funny timing on this thread. After I got a "real" (vs. being a student) job and didn't qualify for state health care any longer...I had to find a differenty gyn. The first appointment he just did the pap/vag exam...afterwords, he talks to me in his office and brings up the rectal exam...asked if I had ever had one...none of my other providers had ever done one...so this dr. goes on to explain the exam, why he would be doing it, etc., told me to think about it and that he would ask to do the rectal in addition to everything at my next yearly exam...I really appreciated his approach...even though I had a whole year to think about it :rolleyes: I went ahead and had it done this year, even though I am young, healthy, and don't have any CA in my family...it wasn't comfortable but it wasn't so bad...only took a second...I think the important thing was that the doctor took time to explain the procedure (a whole year in advance...) and make sure I was comfortable with it...

You make a good point my doc was a real doctor family practice(I am still under my parents insurance) it was not a cheapo clinic maby that is the difference

And before the exam I met with the doc and he explained everything to me and when he mentioned the rectal exam I asked if we could skip it and he said it was important and explained the resaon for it and I reluctantly agreed to it (I still did not really want it) and when I got home and read online and a lot of sites said not required under 40 I got upset then I asked my friends and family about it and some of them had not even heard of it (except mom she has same doc) then I came on this site to ask the question if it is common for someone under 40 to recieve a rectal exam and a lot of you have said yes

Thanks

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i completely understand the embarrassment. i'm a year younger than you and i've been suffering with chronic pelvic pain for the past six months. one step in trying to find the cause was attempting a pelvic on me; however, since i'm not sexually active and very very "virginal" (he eventually did a lady partsl pelvic anyway-and i nearly jumped off the table i was in so much pain), he opted to just do a rectal on me. i'm fortunate in that my GYN is an absolutely amazing doctor whom i trust a great deal, but still-very uncomfortable and very embarrassing.

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No rectal exam here..This is my 3rd baby and I've been to about 5-6 different docs and never had one... curious to see more of the posts.

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Yep, I'm 46 and have 4 children and have had rectal exams with my regular pap/pelvic. Hey, the whole thing is embarrassing but it only takes a sec and if it helps find a problem early, I'm all for it.

My mom and grandma scared me so much before my first exam at 18 that when I finally got into the exam room, the doc came in, looked at me and said "how long have you had those hives?". I was so nervous I'd broken out in hives.

The doc did a very good job explaining everything and had a nurse there too. The exam itself was NOT that big a deal and I was sooooooo mad at my mom and grandma. I'll never do that to my daughter.

steph

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I am starting to wonder if perhaps some of you don't understand what a rectal exam is. It is not a colonoscopy or putting any type of instrument into the rectum. I am sure that all of you have given rectal suppositories before? It is quite similar, a finger is inserted into the rectum, and the area is just palpated to feel for anything abnormal. I am sure that all of you were given suppositories at one time or another by your mothers.

:p :p :)

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Damn, we men get rectals each year . What's the big deal?

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I agree with jaimealmostRN. It is to check the back of the uterus and also for rectal problems like hemorrhoids and prolapes. I know it is not a pleasant thing to have done, but in the long run it is best. Sounds like you go to a Doctor that gives the best exam and care. If you absolutely do not want the rectal exam, then talk to your Doctor next time. He may forgo it everyother visit. It is your right to refuse.

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What matters Rachel is that you felt uncomfortable. Did you have a female in the room also? Many years ago i had a male doc do a really rough OB exam on me. There was something wrong he was so rough and uncomfortable. I still do this day have not forgotten the experience, many pelvic exams later with no problems whatsoever. So the point is if you feel uncomfortable somehow, let it be known. Maybe see a female next time? Good for you for getting your first exam out of the way.

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Specializes in ER.
I am starting to wonder if perhaps some of you don't understand what a rectal exam is

I am quite aware of what is being discussed, and have never had it done as part of a pelvic exam. Never even had a physician bring it up. I have been polling family members and haven't found anyone yet that had this done on a regular basis. It really must depend on the physician, where they were schooled, the area you live, or SOMETHING. Who the heck knows. Another one of those things that it just depends on who you talk to.

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What matters Rachel is that you felt uncomfortable. Did you have a female in the room also? Many years ago i had a male doc do a really rough OB exam on me. There was something wrong he was so rough and uncomfortable. I still do this day have not forgotten the experience, many pelvic exams later with no problems whatsoever. So the point is if you feel uncomfortable somehow, let it be known. Maybe see a female next time? Good for you for getting your first exam out of the way.

Yes there was a female nurse in the room but that brings up another question is she supposed to actually watch or just be in the room the nurse was watching the entire time kind of made me feel uncomfortable

And about asking for a female next time I can't for insurance reasons I have to go to my primary physician for all primary care and if he feels like it is warented he can refer me to a specialist trust me I tried to get a female to do the exam I would of went to a cheap clinic but I could not afford it maby next year

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