Was your physical more thorough than you expected?

I recently had a breast / pelvic exam with a gyn that I haven't seen in many years. I got into a full gown that was too small and didn't close all the way which was embarrassing because you could see half my breasts. She asked me to lay down and put my arms above my head and then she opened the gown to expose both my breasts (the rest of the gown opened as well, so I was more exposed than I first realized). She then started to palpitate my right breast while taking about breast health, she did the entire breast and nipple then started over! She did the whole thing at least 3 times. As much as I sort of enjoy exams, I was getting annoyed about this . She felt my breasts for 9 minutes! (Clock on the desk). And also she palpitated my arm pitts and my middle chest.

The pelvic was shorter, but still thorough. Pulled the clit hood back from the very top, spread my labia, and butt cheeks, put the speculum in my vagina, put 2 fingers in my vagina and asked me to take 3 deep breaths while her fingers were still inside me simultaneously pressing on my abdomen.

Have your exams ever been overly long like this? Were you ever nude while the dr kept talking on and on ?

Wasnt my exam; but I once accompanied my at the time GF to get a physical for a new job; nothing too complicated; a really simple form. We went to a walk-in type place outside her town; and she got assigned this older male doc. We though it would be a simple in and out thing like most of her check-ups, but damn, he took his time on her. No gyn exam or breast exam, but her had her take off her t shirt, listened to her lungs for the longest, then did the same on her chest, moved the steth around her chest and under/side of her breasts for like 5 mins! then has her lay down, and listens again. I can tell she was getting half annoyed half nervous, then he has her unbutton her shorts a bit and starts moving the stethoscope around her abdomen for the longest, then prods, taps around her abdomen for like 5 mins; feeling around every inch of her abdomen and waist. She was flushed with nervousness, but yeah, we thought it took forever and it was a little weird. He never said anything creepy or awkward; just took his sweet ass time. lol

She felt my breasts for 9 minutes!

I took a look at your nice big breasts, and understand why they could take some time to examine.

She felt my breasts for 9 minutes! (Clock on the desk). And also she palpated my arm pits and my middle chest.

I’m not sure I’ve ever felt my wife’s breasts for 9 straight minutes!

Be thankful she was that thorough. As for being exposed-sounds like she was doing her job and has no hangups about bodies. I recently went for a physical and I barely had time to sit down before it was over. I'm sure if there was any abnormalities she would have found them. Better that way than the other.

The breast exam really should take that long if a doctor is going to be thorough.

Be glad that your doctor was thorough. It seems like the trend nowadays is the doctor barely looking at you, while you remain fully clothed. In and out in 5 minutes. Not a good trend IMHO. The whole purpose of a physical is to detect abnormalities. If a doctor isn’t palpating your breasts, abdomen, or performing a pelvic exam, what can be expected to be found if there is a lump, mass, or other problem? Oftentimes, by the time someone becomes symptomatic, it makes treatment more difficult, especially if it is cancer. If it has had a chance to spread, which often happens by the time you develop symptoms, odds of survival plummet, and treatment has to be more aggressive, and outcomes not as good.

As far as the too small gown, I can see how that would bother some people, but to me a doctor should be able to see your whole body. It allows them a chance to spot suspicious moles on your skin, etc.

Yes twice my annual medical at the clinic surprised me. Aged 18-19 I got a vulva exam in the standing position with my knickers pulled down. Aged 20 I had to take my knickers right off lie back and open my legs for a more thorough exam that included looking at my vaginal opening, I wasn't expecting it at all. Aged 30 I was enjoying my medicals and how I would get a thorough vulva exam that felt good. However either their well woman examination changed or mine changed after 30 and more tests were now needed. She pushed 2 fingers up my virgin vagina and I couldn't help making a small *ahh!" as it hurt. She made me squeeze her fingers then pulled them out leaving my vagina sore.

I still enjoy my medical but I'm more apprehensive as I know the finger test hurts.

One time when I was young, my pediatrician had me stand in front of him on the stool and bend down to touch my toes, with him behind me, and then he took my panties and pulled them back to have a look at my bottom. I shot back up, I was mortified.

A couple of times are very memorable for me.

My first physical without my mom I remember the doctor asking me to take my underwear all the way off so she could see how I was developing. No internal, but I was fully undressed on the table with my knees open while she opened my labia and inspected my genitalia for what seemed like ages. I still think about that one.

Recently I went for a consult to get my tubes tied and the doctor there gave me a physical in a gown with no panties. Very thorough stethoscope exam, breast and abdomen palpation, and a pelvic exam where I had to cough while she felt internally. Was not expecting it at all.

For about 40 years my doctor had me completely naked for the whole physical. Doing a DRE, testicle check, rubber hammer bonks and foot bottom feather rubs then sit on the table naked for any discussions. I was there for 20 to 30 minutes while the doc looked me over thoroughly. Three different doctors over the years plus the same thing for employment new hire physicals. My last doc retired when Obamacare took over and I now go to a group where I'm lucky if I get to see the doctor I chose and when I do she just listens to my lungs and heart on top of my clothes. I don't feel like I get a physical anymore. At my age (over 80) I think it would be more important than ever to get a full naked physical. There is a whole lot of my body that I can't see or feel myself.

With a physical coming up in a few weeks I've been trying to figure out how to broach the subject with her that I would like to have a full naked physical. I've been going to her for 7 years since my doctor of 30 years retired. I realized what I posted pretty well covered it so I copied and pasted it in a message to her. She was off for the day but her nurse said she agreed with what I had to say and would be sure the doctor got it.

Today I got a message from her that my point was well taken. She said it's much easier that way. She said she's going to begin having all patients undressed from now on and thanked me profusely. So I made a difference in her methodology and we should both be happier now. At the least it should get me the full physical I've been missing since my other doc retired and if I've made her job easier I'm happy.

@Roscoe Who pays for your physicals?? If you're on medicare, they only cover an annual “Wellness Check” - which is not a physical.

@roscoe I'm glad they listened to you and heeded your advice. It shows they have respect for octagenarians and what they have to say, versus being insistent on doing things their way.

@Roscoe Who pays for your physicals?? If you're on medicare, they only cover an annual “Wellness Check” - which is not a physical.

It seems to have something to do with if I've met my deductible for the year. I think they do the wellness check which I have to pay for due to my deductible then 6 mo. later a followup that Medicare pays for.

It IS nice to know she took my suggestion seriously and age does give you some insights that are helpful.

I wonder how her other patients will like having to get undressed? If they don't I hope she doesn't tell them who thought of it.

I wonder how her other patients will like having to get undressed? If they don't I hope she doesn't tell them who thought of it.

You can always ask her during your next visit how that's going. My guess would be the older folks won't mind, and that th ytounger ones may be likely to be wondering what's up. They might question why, given they've never had to undress previously. A few may become so uncomfortable, they may wind up finding another doctor. I'm wondering what your doctor would say if some question why the change in procedure.

She's just starting it now due to my suggestion and from what she and her “veteran trained” nurse wrote it sounds like all the others in the group like going back to that. She said having patients undressed make it easier for them. So I'll probably wait until my next physical to ask about it.

That was the norm everywhere throughout most of my life. I wonder why it changed. It's hard to believe the younger generation is too prudish to get undressed, they're dam near undressed when they go out in public anyway. The high school girls wear shorts that get shorter every year. They're so short now I expect their lips will be hanging out the sides in another year or so. They must have a 1 inch leg now.

That was the norm everywhere throughout most of my life. I wonder why it changed.

Increasing concerns for modesty, concerns over accusations of sexual harrassment by medical professionals, moving away from the military mindset of the old days. All contribnuted to that one day when they suddenly put out a gown and invited you to wear it, to have a physical with a male doctor that you've been having annual physicals for several years witrh anyway. Who has no doubt seen you before, and by now, you must have some level of comfort being used to sitting on the exam table dressed only in your undies as you swing your feet back and forth in anticipation of that knock on the door, followed by the entry and the commencement of the exam.

We've compartmentalized showers from a more general open area. Revealing undergarments like a jockstrap have now been replaced with the more modest compression shorts. bathing suits are now required at the Y, where men once swam nude.

And male patients are now being asked to don gowns prior to being examined by male doctors, some of whom don't even ask their patients to undress anymore. It's now called a “wellness exam”. What's the point of having to undress if you're “well”.

I was just in the hospital for 10 days and the nurses weren't at all bothered by touching my naked parts. One came in to get a sterile urine sample, I just sat on the bed while she got my penis out to wash it with a wet cloth she brought with her then retracted my foreskin to wash what she just exposed then put it in the cup she brought with her and watched while I peed until she had enough. Then she squeezed it to shut off the flow while she put a bedside urinal up and put my penis in to let the rest go. Had this done by a couple other nurses while I was there. No hesitations, just did it.

Had a couple bed baths too and they didn't hesitate to pull off my hospital supplied unisex underpants and wash my penis and balls.

Some of them knew me from my job as a crossing guard.

My annual physicals have now become wellness exams. The last couple I have not undressed at all. Pulled my shirt up for the EGT and nurse made sure there was no metal in my shirt for the chest x-ray. Doctor just slid the stethoscope under the top of my shirt to listen to my heart. Did not do a hernia check. I had bi-lateral hernia repair several years ago and they put in a mesh. Maybe that is why he doesn't do it. He did not do a prostate check even though he has been concerned about my PSA for several years. This year he did have his nurse make me an appointment with the Urologist instead of just telling me I need to go see one. So the wellness exam is now a chest x-ray, EKG, blood tests, and a quick listen to my heart and lungs. Ask me a lot of questions and sent me to get a colonoscopy, a visit to the Urologist, and sent me back to my cardiologist. I also went to the dermatologist and she has me undress to my boxer shorts and put a gown on. The only reason I put the gown on is because when she walks in, anyone in the hall can see in. The Urologist did do a prostate exam.

I don't know if internists are afraid of lawsuits or if medicare limits what he does in the exam. I forgot the nurse always tells me three words that I have to remember and tell her back in the same order when she asks.

It's never to extensive. It always starts with weight check and blood pressure. We'll discuss my blood work results and he will ask me several questions about my general health. Next he checks my heart and lungs. After he finishes that we'll discuss any concerns he might have then that's usually the end of it. My next yearly exam is actually this Friday. I got my blood work done Tuesday morning and the complete results were on my Patient portal that evening and everything looked good to me anyway. This years exam will be a little more extensive because of a recent injury to my shoulder / arm so we will be spending time with that.