Rectal exams lying prone?

I got rectal exams at my pediatritian laying flat on my stomach but it seems most people are bent over the table or on their side. Why is that? Can't the doctor see inside the easiest if you are flat, and isn't that the most comfortable position? Am curious how many young people (including teens and young adults) have gotten rectal exams during physicals and if they are on their tummy or bent over (or even on their backs which makes no sense at all).

Prostate checking is probably easiest done with the patient bent over a table. I like to position my patients laterally with knees drawn up for initial rectal exam, then get them in a variety of positions for enema administration.

For a rectal exam, not prostate, it places the young patient in a safe position with the area available for inspection. Imagine an adult attempting to reach a child bent over a few feet off the floor.

I remember getting one laying on my stomach when I was very young-probably around 5 or 6. I remember my mom and a nurse holding me down while the doctor inserted his finger into my rectum. As an adult I have had most rectal exams bending over and leaning on the exam table.

I had rectal temperatures taken in the pediatrician's office when I was less than 6 years old, but have never had a rectal examination lying prone. All of my recitals have been done either bent over the exam table or on my side with my knees lulled up toward my chest.

My ped never did a 'rectal exam" He did have me lie on my stomach while my undies were off and spread my cheeks for a look. Never a DRE tho

I have never had one that I recall.

I can not ever remember anyone checking my prostate while lying on my belly, not have I ever given one. Usually I'm bent over the table, and occasionally, I'm in the Sims position.

Like many things, it may just be a matter of the physician's preference.

Most of the rectal exams that I have had have been bent over the table. I have also had a few in the Sims position. I had one during a urological exam that was done while in stirrups. I have never had one while lying prone on the exam table. I have heard of them done that way so I am not surprised that yours were done that way by your pediatrician.

By the way, PlayDoctor27, may I ask at what age the rectal exams were performed on you?

My prostate and rectal exams have always been done bent over the table. However, I did view a medical training video recently where the doctor put a man in stirrups before she did his prostate exam facing him directly.

My pediatrician had me lay on my stomach. As an adult, rectal exams have always been given while I was bent over the table or on my side.

I had a rectal exam once a few years ago. Doctor thought i was constipated. he had me lie on my side on the table and stuck his gloved finger up my butt with one hand, the other had he used to press and push around really deep into my belly below my navel and to the left of it. never had another one.

When I was 12, I had to lay on my left side and bring both knees to my chest and the doctor with very large hands inserted a gloved finger into my rectum. He then announced to my mother that I needed a Fleet enema. We went home and she had me lie on the bathroom floor on my left side and she gave me the enema. I hated the entire process.

The rectal exams I have been given during my annual physical and I have been laying on my back with my legs up in the stirrups..

I received some exams while on my left side lying on the exam table, but most were standing bent over the table. Never had any lying prone.

The rectal exams I've had during an annual checkup have been done with me lying on my back while in the stirrups. It is done at the end of the pelvic exam, receiving either a recto-vaginal or recto-vaginal immediately followed by a rectal exam. I was 15 the first time a doctor put a finger up my butt. I was completely surprised, not expecting the doctor to go there and hated it at the time. I received a rectal lying on my side one time, that was due to a belly issue.

Sim's Position: Texts on physical examination show two positions to expose the rectum to examination: bent over, and the "Sim's Position" in which the patient lies on his/her left side with the upper leg flexed (knee pulled up) Try it, Your anus will be readily exposed. Now try prone. Your anus is deep in between the cheeks or the legs.

Of course if one is in stirrups the anus is readily available, But if one is just going to do a rectal exam, it's much easier to position the patient bent over or lying flat than set him/her in stirrups.

If one is seeing the proctologist/gastroenterologist the tables are bent 90 degrees, and one kneels on a small shelf. After getting in position the examiner will tilt the table so your rectum is in easy position for insertion of tubes. There is usually a second shelf upon which to rest the elbows.

Had to see a proctologist recently as I was having some pain there. He examined me rectally while lying prone. For me this was quite uncomfortable. Before I was always examined either in stirrups or while lying on my left side.

As others have stated, the bent over or side positions afford greater and probably more comfortable access to things inside. Probably less of an issue in a pediatric case where the doctor wouldn't need to go in as far, and it's probably easier for patient cooperation anyway. Lying flat on your stomach works very well for things like a rectal temperature (my favorite position for it) or suppository insertion, though.

Mine are always done while bent over the table at the urologist, but I found that I they're far less uncomfortable for me if I squat down. His table is very low that I have to bend over and to save my back, I tried positioning my feet far apart and squatting while bending over this time and it seemed to be far more comfortable for my back and my prostate. I made sure that I wore shorts last summer when I went---it made it easier to slip one leg out so I could position my feet.

I've been on the table on my side, bent over the exam table, and on top of the table on all fours for a prostate exam. Have never been completely prone on an exam table - can't quite imagine the angle that would be required for this to work.

The only one i had i was on my side.

I've only had them in stirrups, as part of a gyn visit. In fantasy, I like to think about Sims and knee/elbow positions, and fancy table that position you... just so.

I had back pain when I was younger and went to the ER. The nurse there had me lay prone and performed a rectal exam.

From what I can remember it was pretty embarrassing but quick.

Usually I bend over the couch but the (real) doc I've been to for the last couple of physicals has had been up on all fours on the couch and done longer, more thorough rectal exams..

When young temps and rectal exams for constipation were done in prone position. As an adult they have been done on side or bentover.

My RTs have always been prone.

Rectal exams have varied by dr. Some were kneeling on the table, bent over the table, or on my back with knees pulled up. On this position, he would check my genitals as well.

All most all of my rectal exams (as a child, teen, and adult) were done with me lying on my on my left side, knees drawn up, or bent over a table.

There were a few exceptions though.

• There were a couple of times as a child where I had a rectal exam while lying prone.

• I sort of had it done a couple of times in a semi seated position with my knees open like a women getting a gynecological exam. In these cases it was a nurse inserting her finger into my rectum to guide a thin tube for pressure sensor for urodynamics testing.

• In that sort of knee chest position on the tilting table to get a rectal exam and anoscopic exam.

• Once I had a rectal exam on my right side facing the doctor. This was for testing the Bulbocavernosus reflex.

For play exams I usually like to do both, laying on your stomach definitely is a nice surprise since you can't see as well

I’ve had them both lying on my side and bending over the exam table. It really made no difference to me. I hated all of them.