First prostate exam

It wasn’t the first rectal exam that I remember and I can’t swear that it was my first prostate exam; however, the first prostate exam happened when I was around 14 or so. I don’t remember the exact age, but I was a freshman or sophomore in high school.

My mom took me to the ER because I had some blood in my urine and it was after hours. After vitals and giving a urine sample, a resident examined me. She did the normal things including an abdominal exam and then made me take off my underwear to do a genital exam. (Which was embarrassing since it was in front of my mother.)

Then she told me that she was going to do a rectal exam to check my prostate and that I should roll over. I assumed it would be like getting a rectal temperature and rolled on to my stomach, but she had me roll on my side instead. She inserted her finger and pushed on my prostate for a few seconds and that was it.

I never got a definitive diagnosis, but they assumed it was a stone since I did not have an infection.

Strangely enough, when I followed up with the urologist a few days later, he did a prostate exam with me laying prone.

I think that the actual experience as far less distressing than what I had envisioned. I wasn't expecting one when I was seen for my going to college exam nor much later when I attended graduate school and received exams at the university clinic. Different docs and administered with me leaning over onto the table or lying on my side with a knee pulled up. The physical sensations of each felt very different and also psychologically different in the sense of the physical position required.

I recall feeling very embarrassed at being naked and about to experience anal penetration for the first time. I was told to relax, take deep breaths, and felt my cheeks being spread open and then the finger entering and twirling. I think I clenched at first and then relaxed and while I had all sorts of anxiety about the procedure, it was over quickly and the exam continued.

My first prostate examination was when I was in my 30s as I had been experiencing a throbbing in my rectum, and I was worried that it could been a growth or similar. I remember being horrified at my doctor feeling around my rectum, as I had not cleaned myself out prior to my visit. Fortunately nothing nasty was found in either the examination or my rectum! I now ask for a PSA test every year, and happily my doctor requests I go in to see him and have a DRE as he doesn't like to rely on a blood test only, and I'm happy with that too!