Position for digital rectal exam

Mine have always just been laying on my side on the exam table

I think it depends on what the purpose of the DRE; for a quick prostate exam slightly bent over the exam table is the common experience.

If seeing colorectal surgeon its going to be more often than not Simms or on the proctology table to permit the rest of the examination methods they might use.

I think standing and bent over the exam table is the best position, it gives the doctor the best chance to feel the prostate properly, and also allows them to visually exam the backside of the scrotum

I have only had my DRE done two ways: on all fours (knees and elbows) and bent over the exam table. My last doctor inserted an anoscope during a few of these rectal/DRE exams, so the "all fours" position was probably the best option. My last one, by a new PCP, was just a DRE and was just done bent over the table after the genital exam.

My experience in childhood (appendicitis) was the same as @Pecan_nutjob ; I guess that's what was taught back then in France to physicians for examining kids our age for that issue.

Any DRE I have had has either been in the left Sims position, or, more often than not, bent over the exam table, head on crossed arms, legs apart and toes pointed in. Of the two, I prefer the later.

I had have them 2 ways on my side on the table but mostly after standing there in front of the doctor for genital exam turn around and bend over the table.

I had a real prostate exam in two positions, one was lying on my side with my upper knee bent, the other one was bent down with my elbows on an exam table. An ultimate fantasy of mine, though, in a play exam, would be on my back with the rectal exam being done bimanually - finger(s) of one hand in the rectum, the other hand pressing on my lower belly.

Although the DRE is not being done as often as it used to be, I have found the Sims position or leaning over the exam table were the most common. I've been asked to be on all fours, which would add a level of erotica to the exam, in my opinion.

My very first rectal exam was something of a surprise towards the end of a very thorough physical when I was in my early twenties, hoping to find something that would save me from being drafted. I was bent over the exam table and he pulled down my briefs and stuck something up my butt but I do not know what it was. It was smooth and he rotated it but that's all I know. It was over in a couple of seconds.

Decades later, after I moved west, I started requesting rectal exams. My male doctor would place me in the Sims position, on my side with one knee drawn up, wearing only my briefs. He would pull down my underwear, spread my cheeks, lube my anus, and insert his finger.

My first exam after moving downstate to my current location was very pleasurable. I booked an appointment with a woman doctor and ended up seeing her nurse practitioner. She had me strip completely and gave me a paper sheet to put on my lap. Then she had me lie on my back with the sheet covering my middle for the abdominal exam. Finally, she had me scoot down so that my butt and feet were at the very end of the table, with my legs spread wide (the lithotomy position). That gave her access to my both my genitals and my anus. She pressed down on my belly with one hand while her finger on the other hand was inside me. I liked that a lot because I could see what was going on and could maintain eye contact with her. Finally, she had me stand up to check for hernias.

After that I started making appointments at the new local clinic. The first doctor there was a male but the rest were females. They all had me bend over the exam table in varying states of undress. One of the doctors, who happened to be very attractive, always brought a female chaperone with her for the genital and rectal portion of the exam.

That's exactly what happened with my first lady doctor.

I had a real prostate exam in two positions, one was lying on my side with my upper knee bent, the other one was bent down with my elbows on an exam table. An ultimate fantasy of mine, though, in a play exam, would be on my back with the rectal exam being done bimanually - finger(s) of one hand in the rectum, the other hand pressing on my lower belly.

I've had the rectal exam done by my PCP by raising the exam table and rest my chest and arms while she gave me the cheek spread and feel for anything internal or fissures.

At the urologist I've had the prostate checked with me on my left side and a raised right leg and knee bent for the sims.

The most interesting position for me was after a cystoscopy at the urologist after the genital exam lying on my back, the doctor helped me place my feet flat on the table and inserted his middle finger while holding my penis and testicles out of the way.