What Has Your Doctor Said About The Size Of Your Prostate During An Exam?

When I was in my 30s and a married man, I had a female doctor who would do a physical exam once per year. Her physical exams always took longer than exams of male doctors, and she spent more time answering my questions. After she had done a digital rectal exam which caused minimal discomfort, she would typically tell me that my prostate was larger than the prostates of most men my age. She asked me to inform her if I ever had difficulty with urinating or woke up several times at night to go to the bathroom. I have had physical exams with several male doctors who would quickly do the rectal digital exam and do it in a rough manner which felt uncomfortable. I am curious as to whether others had doctors who discussed the size of their prostate. I am also curious if others observed any differences in how female doctors do an exam in comparison to how male doctors do an exam.

Only had one doc do it, and she is gentle. Even with prostatitis it didn't hurt much. Got a routine one at 40 because of family and personal history, the comment was "oh, that's big" along with the IPSS questions and the comment that at the larger sizes it can become much more symptomatic quickly.

Don't know if it is going to be routine from here on out or if it will just be the IPSS questions and PSA.

My first DREs were with male doctors and not very comfortable. When I signed up at the VA I got a cute little blond ARNP. At the first appointment she had me bend over the table with my legs spread. She commented "Oh you have a nice little one". My first thought was she meant the little wrinkly thing she could see hanging down there, then I realized she was talking about the prostate and I replied that I was thinking the same thing about her finger. She laughed and we got along great from then on. One day she had a student with her and she had her do the exam. When she got to the DRE she showed her how to find what she wanted to feel in there and told her mine was quite little. She always takes the time to feel it well and then tell me it's all OK. She retired and now I have a female MD whose first language is not English and I have a very hard time understanding her. When she does the DRE it's quick and no commentary.

I've never had a female examine my prostate, so I can't comment on the male vs. female perspective. I've only had two prostate exams ever, both by my current PCP. They've never felt rushed or uncomfortable in the least way. However, he also doesn't linger in there. 5-10 seconds, tops. Everytime, after he pulls his finger out of me, he comments on the size of my prostate. For all I know, it's his way of breaking the ice and transitioning from the awkwardness of, "I was just staring at the back of your scrotum with my finger in your butthole", to, "Let's sit down and have a conversation".

Haven't had prostate exam performed by a female practitioner but have had two different male practitioners examine my prostate. With my current male physician, as he's examining my prostate with me in the sims position he'll ask if I'm feeling any discomfort as he's pressing on the prostate. As I answer no discomfort he finishes the exam and and mentions my prostate feels normal. When the entire physical is completed and he's reviewing the exam, he'll mention that my prostate felt normal.

My female primary care ususally tells me "it's small and smooth" and that she can only feel the bottom 1/3 of it.

I am also curious if others observed any differences in how female doctors do an exam in comparison to how male doctors do an exam.

I don't recall any male doctors using the Sims position. Male docs always had me standing at the edge of the table, leaning into the table.

Aside from saying everything is fine, I have not received any comments about the size of my prostate. I suppose if there was a concern then he would let me know. Hearing that I am "bigger" than others would mean nothing to me. I have no way to know what that might mean other than to have a concern. From what I know having an enlarged prostate is problematic. So I tend to think that no news is for the best. That said, the size of a doctor's finger can have different meaning to us!

Nick

The last time I had it done the doc said "Feels pretty good" and I replied "I was about to say the same thing".

"Small and smooth" has been a normal comment.

Interesting on the position. All the male doctors I have had have used the Sims position. I've had two females do it (MD and PA); both had me over the table. The male doctors' exams were better despite me being in that position. Large fingers and very thorough!

A male nurse who gave me play physicals told me my prostate was slightly enlarged.

A doctor at a private on-demand clinic where I went for some ECGs before booking myself in for a physical said it was ok.

Before having anal sex I examine the button's prostate, they tend to be of the same size but there was a man who had a very enlarged one, so I let him know. I hope he sort medical help. It was nearly twice the usual size, so I'm assuming that once that's noted he'd get a prostate check every exam.