Story research question - Rectal exam as part of your physical?

I’m doing some research for a story ive been kicking around in my head for a few months. I’d love to put it to paper and make my first entry in the library. And maybe you can help give my character a voice with some real life perspective! I know we probably have 100 threads of similar subjects so, I really hope no one gets upset that I’m rehashing this with more of focus.

on to the question- Have you ever had a rectal exam that was part of a normal physical/checkup? plenty of people have been on the receiving end when they go to the doctor with a specific problem. I’m more looking for people that were surprised when the doctor included it.

and if so…..

how old were you?

what kind of doctor were you at?

were you surprised it was included?

how did it make you feel?

what position were you in?

did you receive it through random chance, or was it because of an issue you were having? (Did you tell the doctor you were having digestive issues… or did you just find out this was a special thing the doctor did)

was it your first rectal exam?

and really anything else you want to tell us about that big day.

Did you get the exam again in subsequent exams.

Thanks in advance for any insights.

How old were you? Maybe 19 or 20.

what kind of doctor were you at? Military dr

were you surprised it was included? Yes. Said he was going to give me a rectal. Didn't know what that meant

how did it make you feel? Was embarrassed that somebody was going to put thei finger up my butt

what position were you in? Bent over touching my toes

How old were you? 13

what kind of doctor were you at? Pediatrician

were you surprised it was included? Extremely

how did it make you feel? Very exposed vulnerable and humiliated

what position were you in? Knees and elbows on the table

did you receive it through random chance, or was it because of an issue you were having? (Did you tell the doctor you were having digestive issues… or did you just find out this was a special thing the doctor did)

it was done at the request of my mother because of family History

was it your first rectal exam? Yes

and really anything else you want to tell us about that big day.

Did you get the exam again in subsequent exams. Yes

@Rectoexa Did you hear your mom request a rectal exam explicitly? Or did she just mention colon cancer running in family.

OP:

I looked at your set of questions then laughed - who is writing the story?

Sorry, take responsibility for your own work.

How old were you? 18, during my pre-college physical exam

what kind of doctor were you at? my father's GP, an ex-military doctor, which probably explains the rectal exam

were you surprised it was included? very

how did it make you feel? it was embarrassing because my father was in the room and saw it all

what position were you in? bending over grabbing my ankles (military style)

did you receive it through random chance, or was it because of an issue you were having? (Did you tell the doctor you were having digestive issues… or did you just find out this was a special thing the doctor did) random, just part of the exam

was it your first rectal exam? Yes

and really anything else you want to tell us about that big day. after it was over I was kind of glad my father was there

Did you get the exam again in subsequent exams. every time after that from that doctor

Have you ever had a rectal exam that was part of a normal physical/checkup? plenty of people have been on the receiving end when they go to the doctor with a specific problem. I’m more looking for people that were surprised when the doctor included it.

and if so…..

how old were you? I was a little shy of 15

what kind of doctor were you at? My regular family dr.

were you surprised it was included? Surprised is an understatment

how did it make you feel? You didn't question drs when I was young but felt fine, had known this dr all my life and it wasnt uncommon for teenages to have pelvic exams back then. At no point did I feel abused and he was very kind /caring.

what position were you in? In stirrups.

did you receive it through random chance, or was it because of an issue you were having? (Did you tell the doctor you were having digestive issues… or did you just find out this was a special thing the doctor did) i had no issue at all. As far as I knew it was a regular checkup like every other year before it but a pelvic and rectal exam as an addition at the end.

was it your first rectal exam? Yes.

The first time I ever had a rectal exam was in the ER at age 14 as part of screening for appendicitis. I had 2, one from the female resident which was fairly gentle and one from the male attending which was, well, kinda brutal.

How old were you? 14

what kind of doctor were you at? ER

were you surprised it was included? very

how did it make you feel? when the gentle dr did it, maybe slightly embarrassed and a little ‘this is an interesting feeling’ When the rough dr did it, it just hurt and I was pretty angry

what position were you in? on my side, knees up

did you receive it through random chance, or was it because of an issue you were having? (Did you tell the doctor you were having digestive issues… or did you just find out this was a special thing the doctor did)

inwas in the ER as my mother suspected appendicitis It wasn’t, I had been drunk and throwing up so I wasn’t going to contradict her as I didn’t want to get in trouble

was it your first rectal exam? Yes

and really anything else you want to tell us about that big day.

Did you get the exam again in subsequent exams. not until I was much older

Yes, when I became a new patient at my wifes Naturopathic Medical Doctor, she had me complete a very detailed medical history. on The day of my blood draw we went over the 4 page medical hisTory. she then scheduled me for my physical exam and told me then that i will have a head to toe physical to include a full body skin exam, a genital exam, rectal and prostate exam. when asked if I was familiar with thee exams I said no that I never had a rectal exam. she said it is not very uncomfortable but is fine to feel for tumors, hemorrhoid, and other rectal issues. this was a total surprise since I never had a thirough rectal exam. In the day if the exam the rrectal portion was fine with me lying on my back and legs spread. She then inserted i believ her middle finger and twisted it all around the inside of me and at the same time pressed on the area below my scrotum and also pressed the area below my belly button the and including my pubic hair. It took about 1 min maybe more.

Have you ever had a rectal exam that was part of a normal physical/checkup? plenty of people have been on the receiving end when they go to the doctor with a specific problem. I’m more looking for people that were surprised when the doctor included it. Yes

and if so…..

how old were you? 17

what kind of doctor were you at? Our family doctor who was a GP but did OB/GYN. She was the only doctor in the city. It was to get on the pill. My sister made the appointment and went with me. She failed to tell me I would get a rectal exam. I don't know if she didn't tell me because she was afraid I would not go or she wanted to see my reaction. I hated anything anal back then.

were you surprised it was included? Yes

how did it make you feel? Dirty and grossed out

what position were you in? On my back in the stirrups.

did you receive it through random chance, or was it because of an issue you were having? (Did you tell the doctor you were having digestive issues… or did you just find out this was a special thing the doctor did) I had no issues except for having unprotected sex once and I wanted on the pill.

was it your first rectal exam? Yes

and really anything else you want to tell us about that big day.

Did you get the exam again in subsequent exams. Yes always.

How old were you? 19

what kind of doctor were you at? OB-GYN

were you surprised it was included? VERY my mom didn't tell me about that part!

how did it make you feel? Honestly violated at the time.

what position were you in? in stirrups

did you receive it through random chance, or was it because of an issue you were having? (Did you tell the doctor you were having digestive issues… or did you just find out this was a special thing the doctor did) Just was part of her routine pelvic exam. had one ever since.

was it your first rectal exam? Yes

and really anything else you want to tell us about that big day.

Did you get the exam again in subsequent exams. Yes

Interesting idea and I'll look forward to reading whatever you write! Happy to assist and provide some details around my first rectal exam.

how old were you? 15

what kind of doctor were you at? Gynecologist, my mother's male gyno to be exact.

were you surprised it was included? I was very surprised, more like shocked. I had no idea the doctor would go there or do that, mom hadn't mentioned it. I didn't even realize at the time that doctors did that kind of exam.

how did it make you feel? Really uncomfortable, weird, gross, a bit disgusted by it.

what position were you in? Lithotomy position, in the stirrups, bottom scooted down with cheeks over the table's edge and knees dropped out to the side.

did you receive it through random chance, or was it because of an issue you were having? (Did you tell the doctor you were having digestive issues… or did you just find out this was a special thing the doctor did) I guess more of random chance, I didn't have or mention any digestive issues. The exam was part of my first complete well woman exam.

was it your first rectal exam? Yes!

and really anything else you want to tell us about that big day. I first received a recto-vaginal exam, followed by the single finger rectal exam.

Did you get the exam again in subsequent exams. Yes, the very next year during my second gyn exam with him. I have received a recto-vaginal exam at most of my gynecological exams, often followed by a rectal exam. I've also received just a rectal exam on a couple occasions at the end of a pelvic exam.

As I re-read the posters original message about a rectal exam during a normal checkup / physical exam, I will also share that experience. Hope no one minds the double posting.

how old were you? 18

what kind of doctor were you at? Family doctor, a female.

were you surprised it was included? Yes, I wasn't expecting it and this was the first time she had included it as part of my physical exam.

how did it make you feel? Surprised, a bit uncomfortable.

what position were you in? Laying on the exam table, rolled onto my left side with knees drawn up.

did you receive it through random chance, or was it because of an issue you were having? (Did you tell the doctor you were having digestive issues… or did you just find out this was a special thing the doctor did) It was kind of random, at least in my thinking. For the doctor, I think it was purposeful. During the normal history taking when she asked about bowl habits I had mentioned that yes, sometimes I had constipation around my period and also attributed it to stress at times. I thought nothing of it and my answer, as she moved on and didn't ask anything further about it, and I assumed that was all there was to it.

was it your first rectal exam? No it was not. Although it was my first rectal exam not in the stirrups and done as part of my pelvic exam.

and really anything else you want to tell us about that big day. No.

Did you get the exam again in subsequent exams. I've had a rectal exam during a checkup a few times since.

I went in once when I was about 45 for a Dot physical. It was the local clinic and younger male Dr he was a nice guy rather large man not fat just a big guy he did all the routine stuff eyes ear so on hernia check end up getting put on blood pressure pills and told to come back in a week when I went back to see him again he did the bp and stater to do the hernia exam again then goes we have already done this part I want you to walk over the table lay across the end and grab the sides I walked over and did as he told me but I didn't grab the sides I just layed across my arms then watched him walk over to a cabinet and get what he needed then lube his finger and walk back over to my side then told me he had large fingers and that he was going to spread my cheeks and look then spread the lube around with his finger he spread my cheeks wide and looked then I felt his finger rubbing in a circle on my hole then he stopped told me to relax then I could feel his finger pushing in slow until he stopped said this your prostate I could feel him put pressure on it then ask how are doing I told him fine next words were now I'm going to go deeper then pushed in until I could feel his hand between my cheeks and he had me standing on my tip toes then pulled his finger out wiped it on a slide told me I could wipe myself and pull my pants up I was done. I went home and masturbated thinking about what had happened i still do now and then was most intense rectal exam I have had and I have had a few since sorry this was such a long post

How old were you? 18

what kind of doctor were you at? Military entrance physical

were you surprised it was included? No

how did it make you feel? Meh

what position were you in? Standing, bent over

did you receive it Was part of the routine

was it your first rectal exam? Yes

and really anything else you want to tell us about that big day. In those days, at that time...it was just something that was required.

Did you get the exam again in subsequent exams. Yes. During physical exams prior to each reenlistment. When I left the Navy each new civilian doctor performed a DRE as part of the "welcome" ceremony. However, starting three doctors ago, no DRE was performed and I was told that a DRE is that PCP's no longer perfrom it (even when treating a patient for an enlarged prostate) . I have my first real physical coming up in April, so we'll see what happens then.

How old were you? 18

what kind of doctor were you at? Primary

were you surprised it was included? Yes, very

how did it make you feel? Surprised, I was not expecting it.

what position were you in? On the table on my side.

did you receive it through random chance, or was it because of an issue you were having? I believe it was random. I was there for a physical & had no issues.

was it your first rectal exam? Yes

and really anything else you want to tell us about that big day. No

Did you get the exam again in subsequent exams. Yes, ever since

My pediatrician took a look to my anus without any further invasive procedure every genital examination he did on me. When entering puberty he send me to have an examination from an urology surgeon to have his opinion. After the genital exam for my phimosis he made me bend my thights on my belly and unexpectedly I feel his finger inside. He said to relax and rotated the finger checking internal and external sphincters. Not clear reasons for that anyway it was unexpected and extremely embarassing.

How old were you? I was 33 years old.

what kind of doctor were you at? Urologist

were you surprised it was included? no, because I knew they check the prostate. I hoped until the end that she wouldn't do it to me but the doctor told me "knees to chest"

how did it make you feel? When the doctor told me to bend my knees to my chest I felt anxious and even a little embarrassed.

what position were you in? I was lying on the table.

did you receive it through random chance, or was it because of an issue you were having? Mainly because of the issue I had.

was it your first rectal exam? Yes

and really anything else you want to tell us about that big day. I had a mix of feelings, on the one hand I felt a little embarrassed and even humiliated to let a person put a finger in such an intimate place and feel the internal organs. On the other hand, it also excited me a little, thanks to the fact that I had nothing to worry about from a health point of view.

Did you get the exam again in subsequent exams. Yes, when I returned for the check-up the doctor did the DRE again