Cheeks separated or not?

@Amarrynth between the coughing and the mask, did you wind up getting Acetaminophen / Tylenol in suppository form?

It’s also hat to tell the patient to reach back and spread her own cheeks as you watch her butthole and vagina come into view

When I was younger, my butt crack wasn't spread when my rectal temperature was taken and getting it done really didn't bother me. The last few times it was taken around 10-11, my rear end was spread in order to insert the thermometer. I was getting to the point where I getting embarrassed by having it done. Once puberty hit and rectal temperatures became a fetish, it wasn't such a problem and rectal temperatures at the doctor or home stopped happening unless I did it myself. When I take my temperature as an adult, I can sometimes insert the thermometer without spreading my rear end.

@Jacana "It depends on the position I guess… diaper position naturally opens the place"

That is a point but also applies to other positions like being on the side with knees bent to the chest, and I am surprised that many report that the diaper position was used rather than being on one site. And of course, the knee-elbow/chest position also helps, but I guess is more used for enemas than simple RT.

Many years ago, I had a prostate exam by my female doctor. She had me bend over the table, left hand on my left cheek and her lubed gloved finger slipped up my butt and felt for what she needed to feels. Didn't take long to do it. She said all good! I got dress and as I walked out of the office, I could still feel the lube in my butt hole. Plus I was on my way to work, felt that lube for many hours.

I've had mine taken both ways as a child & an adult. As a child I would try & squeeze my cheeks together, but the nurse would always separate them. It would always make me nervous of the anticipation of what was to come. Now I enjoy it when they spread before insertion.

My first play partner knew my embarrassment and arousal at being exposed, so she held me open longer than necessary as she prepared to insert the thermometer (which was a cotton swab for a long time before we used an actual thermometer 😇). She took her time removing it too, and then sometimes had me hold myself open so she could "clean" me, as she said. I was soaking wet by that time which she noted.

Always separated when I was on my belly. Usually one hand with the thumb and fingers used to spread my bum cheeks.

At the pediatrician, I usually lay on my stomach on the examination table. My buttocks were spread and the thermometer was pushed into my bottom. Sometimes the pediatrician asked me to pinch my buttocks together to prevent the thermometer from slipping out. I always found it humiliating to have to do this myself. But sometimes he would just pull up my underpants and the thermometer would stay inside.

My mom never did spread my bottom cheeks. She just pushed the thermometer in

I’d say if for no other reason, safety. Yes, the person taking it needs to see the anal opening. You don’t need someone “poking” around not finding the anal opening, ergo say hold the buttocks apart.

Another point: speed and angles of insertion. Had it done once where the caregiver inserted it quickly at an angle that caused some pain. I mentioned it!

This is an interesting topic because it highlights exactly where professional technique meets personal memory. In nursing school they taught us very clearly that you must separate the cheeks and use lubricant to ensure the process is as safe and hygienic as possible. This professional approach is meant to avoid unnecessary discomfort and make the procedure smooth and quick.

But when I think back to my childhood at my grandmother’s house everything was completely different. She always knew how to do it without separating and without using any lubricant at all. There was something about that old school approach that felt much more direct and authoritative. The dry and direct touch of the thermometer created a totally different sensation from what I later learned about academically.

As someone who studied the profession I understand the importance of lubricant but the memory of my grandmother’s way always stays with me as a much more powerful experience. There is a huge difference between the dry medical protocol and the traditional way things were done back then at home.

What do you all prefer? The professional and slick approach or the old school and direct way? 😉

My mom always spread my cheeks with her thumb and forefinger when taking my temperature

At home and in hospital cheeks all ways parted blob vaseline applied to anus thermometer inserted held in place

When a guy is lying on his side, I usually lift his upper ass cheek with my hand to expose his anus. I love to watch the thermometer gliding into his manhole. I also like to open his ass cheeks by spreading them with my thumb on one cheek and the rest of my fingers on his other cheek. Touching a man's ass and looking at his anus is as arousing as inserting the thermometer.

My current play partner knows my desires & triggers. She parts my bottom firmly open, comments as she examines, notes hair or lack of, describes the state of my hygiene, etc, and eventually does insert her glass thermometer. She’s well aware of the effect the maximum exposure & intimate commentary has on me.