What is your reaction when you learn your temp will be rectal at the doctor's?

If you're going to have your temperature taken, but do not know via what route; considering it might be a new doctor, or facility where you've not gone to previously or have a home visit for an exam for whatever purpose, and then you find that it will be a rectal temperature; what is your reaction?

When I was 16 and i wondered the same thing. My first rectal temp wasthe most embarrassing, but I had to have my appendix out.

If I am in an exam room alone, I will be happy to drop my pants and let them take it. Now if the person who brought me the my first visit was in the exam room with me, I will ask that person to leave and then drop my pants for it to be taken rectally.

Actually does not cross my mind anymore, as rectal thermometers are rarely used. Will admit that the thought of one still is arousing.

Since it's always been taken orally, I'm going to expect that nothing would change. I would have to be near death, to accept it rectally from a doctor.

Since it's always been taken orally, I'm going to expect that nothing would change. I would have to be near death, to accept it rectally from a doctor.

You don't have to worry. No one is taking your rectal temperature.

No doctor is going to take your temperature, rectally or otherwise.

A nurse or other staff member will take your temperature.

My Dr's PA knows about me, and smiles as she says, "Im sorry, but I have to take your temperature rectally. I hope you won't mind!" Then, she winks.

I would blush a hell of a lot and try to get out of it. (Embarrassment doesn’t turn me on, it’s just embarrassing) My boyfriend would probably talk me into it and bare my ass for me since I didn’t have the courage to do it myself. I would sit on his lap with my knees to me chest as the tip was inserted a few inches into my rectum.

This is such a powerful question for those of us that grew up with rectal temperatures. It was something I had no say in, as my mom was always present in the examination room with me, but there was always anxiety as I sat on the table having my BP taken, and saw the two thermometers in glass holders on the counter. The discussions were typically between the nurse and my mother, as if I was simply not capable of choosing, which was the case in the end. Once completed, the nurse would tell me to turn onto my tummy for her, and go to the rectal thermometer. My reaction was one of humility and obedience.

I read an article about some guy in Florida, who was impersonating a doctor, and actually got away with it for a long time. ( Florida...doesn't surprise me). Anyway, he was caught, because a recent nursing graduate applied for the job, and he insisted on taking her rectal temperature, as part of the "interview" process. Although she complied, she reported him....afterwards to the authorities. This is a true story ! So, based on that premise....I would see a field of red flags, if any doctor in the U.S. requested that an adult have a rectal temp. taken !

As I've written before in this forum, I managed to get my docs office to take my temp rectally well into my teens. It began as a case of mistaken identity. They called home and mistook me for my father I suppose. When I inquired about rectal temps they asked if I wanted 'him' to have it done that way in the office. I said yes and got regular rectal temps until we moved when I was between 16 and 17. Nomatter what though, when I heard that nurse tell me to lie down so she could take my temp, I got a little thrill.

....I would see a field of red flags, if any doctor in the U.S. requested that an adult have a rectal temp. taken !

There are some doctors that ask for rectal temps. I've had it done twice as an adult.