Male Rectal Examination

If you are a male, at what age did you start having regular rectal examinations? How often are they performed? Are they usually performed by your regular physician, a urologist, or both? What the most usual position for your rectal examination?

I started having regular DREs at age 38, by my PCP, who strongly recommended annual physicals for me. She always had me lie on my left side with legs drawn up. I had had DREs previously by other docs, but not on a regular basis, which is what this question is about.

I started to get yearly rectal exams from my PCP during my annual physical one I turned 35. He'd have me lay on my left side for the exam.

I was either 40 or 41, at my PCP for my annnual physical. The exam had been pretty uneventful, I don't even recall him checking my genitals or doing a hernia exam.

I was sitting on the table, fully clothed, and he said something to the effect of "You're at the age where we want to do a colorectal screening." To which I replied "Yes, I was kinda expecting that." We had a brief conversation about what was involved and he acknowledged that "no one looks forward to it" and that he wasn't excited about being due for his first one soon.

So he's still in the room and asks me to get undressed from the waist down. Wants me on my left side with my right knee flexed towards my chest. I oblige. Right after I hear him put on a pair of gloves, he apologizes and says he needs to grab something.

Turns out, there were none of those little cards where the doctor smears his finger for the fecal occult blood testing. So he takes his gloves off and disappears for a minute or two. I'm still lying on my side, exposed from the waist down, no doubt getting aroused.

He comes back with some cards in his hand, regloves, and I can see him get out a stack of gauze pads and a tube of lubricant. He put a rather generous dollop on the gauze pads before rolling his index finger in it.

I could tell he was pretty nervous, much more nervous than his patient. And after telling me to take a deep breath, he went in. Except he missed! In his nervousness, he aimed way too high and ended up trying to put his finger in an inch or two above my anus. Realizing his mistake, he pulled his finger back and tried again, this time hitting the mark. He was probably feeling around for a standard 5 seconds or so.

He handed me a few tissues which i used to pretend to wipe myself. I saw him smearing his finger on the little piece of cardboard as he told me I could get dressed, with my back to him, of course, to hide my partial erection.

I still drive past that office a few times a week and I always crack a smile thinking about my first rectal/prostate exam.

Started having regular check-ups at age 38 because we have a family history of cancer - both prostate and colo- rectal. So I am pretty diligent about it. It's mostly been done with my on my side, knees pulled up. I personally don't like this position. I once asked the doctor if I may stand, bent over and he didn't have a problem. It was far more comfortable (for me)

My first rectal exam came in my late 30s as a routine screening prior to my vasectomy. It was standing, leaning over the exam table. Since then I’ve had them both standing and lying down on the table with my knees pulled up. It really doesn’t make any difference to me; I hated all of them.

Annually starting (I think) in my mid-forties.

I am in my early 70's and I have never had "regular" rectal exams performed by my doctor. The last rectal exam I had was when I was in my 30's after I had begun lifting at the gym, and I developed some hemorrhoids that required treatment. Since I was at a proctologist, he had a special tilting table for the exam. Since that experience, I have not had any doctor perform a digital rectal exam or DRE. I expected that after age 50 they would begin, but it never happened. One reason might be is that once a PSA test was available, that is what all of my doctors ordered along with my other lab work. My PSA has never been higher than .1, so none of my primary care doctors have asked to do a digital...much to me relief actually as I was dreading it. I have only had male doctors and I have wondered it they might actually be more hesitant, I have heard that most doctors dread performing them on their male patients.

I was 19 at university with a recurring bout of Prostatitis. I spent two semesters bent over the exam table with the doctor's finger up my ass checking my prostate. In those days prostate massage was the go to treatment with antibiotics for prostatitis. I loved it! Sadly these days I've only had the rare rectal exam, most recently due to my age (50s) and was told I had early BPH. My GP looks about 14, so not a turn on. If only he was an older guy with a bit of grey hair I'd be bent over begging for it.

My first one was when I was twenty eight then the second time I was maybe forty. Once I turned fifty it has been every year during my annual physical by my regular doctor.

I did have the first one during exams for military services I was 21 at that moment. Since then, I didn’t have any anymore.

Quite a lot has changed since then. It’s not done that often anymore because during anual blood analysis, the PSA rating can be analysed. Once that would be too high, it would be done as a first follow-up exam.

I had my first rectal examination at the age of 33 at the first examination by a new doctor. it came as a complete surprise. I had to bend over the table. my urologist does it in a lateral position. last in december

Having had a family history of colon cancer, the doc(s) at my annual physicals at work during my 30's started strongly encouraging I get a colonoscopy, which I finally did in my late 30's. Then a year or two after I finally did, they encouraged giving me a DRE around the time I was 40.

The 1st few DREs I had been given had me standing at the edge of the exam table, leaning over it. They hurt like yell, and I was on the verge of screaming. After having had a few in that position, when one of the nurse practitioners had me get into the SIMS position, and it's seemed to have been done that way ever since. Even after I found my own doctor(s) when I turned 50, they did them that way.

Never on all 4's or with my legs up in the air or in stirrups.

My current doctor doesn't even have me remove any clothing. Certainly can't do a DRE that way.

I was in my 20's for my first DRE. My employer required and scheduled annual physicals for everyone. Because it was required I believe they did the same exam on everyone regardless of age. I remember all the jokes from the guys about making sure the doctors hands weren't on your shoulders at the time of the poke

Had my first one when I was 35. Been getting them yearly during my annual physical ever since

Never had a DRE in my life, even though I'm on flomax for suspected enlarged prostate issues (I also have some ED issues). They just go by my PSA levels. Never even had to lower my pants for the doctor for it.

Never had a DRE in my life, even though I'm on flomax for suspected enlarged prostate issues (I also have some ED issues). They just go by my PSA levels. Never even had to lower my pants for the doctor for it.

I had a doctor offer to put me on that just for mentioning that was was getting up in the middle of the night most nights to urinate. No further questions, no DRE.

I declined his offer and never went back to that doctor.

I think the first time I had a DRE was about 40? I do not have a family history of prostrate issues along with bladder control issues. After 50 every time I have a yearly physical I get one.

Normally, I am sitting in the exam room in my underwear and the Dr. goes thru the normal steps. Then he has me lye on my side and he slides my underwear down and does the DRE. That's about it!

I know I have commented on this subject in another thread but here we go again. If one of my Doc's exam calls for a DRE, I will gladly allow it to happen. After two separate battles with cancer I gladly submit. Besides, I like it. It can be either pain or pleasure as we know, but, it is for our health and welfare after all. MRay.

@MRay I absolutely agree. If it's gonna be beneficial for my health then I'll take the DRE every year

@John657 i'm curious as to what type of industry you were in where your employer required an annual physical of that detail from all employees. damn sure wish employers had that same requirement today.

Yeah the last "physical" didnt even involve me taking my shirt off, lol.

I had a doctor offer to put me on that just for mentioning that was was getting up in the middle of the night most nights to urinate. No further questions, no DRE.

I declined his offer and never went back to that doctor.

I had a doctor offer to put me on that just for mentioning that was was getting up in the middle of the night most nights to urinate. No further questions, no DRE.

I declined his offer and never went back to that doctor.

@John657 i'm curious as to what type of industry you were in where your employer required an annual physical of that detail from all employees. damn sure wish employers had that same requirement today.

I was a first responder in public safety. The exams were thorough. Eventually the agency I worked for figured out it was cheaper for them if we went to our own physician for exams since we alĺ had health insurance. All you needed was a letter from the doctor stating we were fit enough to perform our job duties. The exams from my own pcp were much more brief initially until I changed plans.

I had a rectal exam at age 14. I was going through the adoption process and the state required I have a complete physical prior to being released from foster care. I certainly didn't want it and my pediatrician even agreed it was not necessary but it was on the form so it had to be done.

They’ve been putting me on my side recently. I think that’s the new position

My first rectal exam was bending over the table but my last one I requested to lie on the table. I figure if I'm getting a genital exam and then a rectal then it just be easier to lie down

I received my first DRE at the age of 46 from my former PCP during my new patient exam with him. It was unexpected. I received them during my annual exams from him regularly after that. He always had me bent over the exam table.

I've been to a colo-rectal surgeon twice, both times he performed a DRE with me on my left side and knees drawn up. Although he never examined my prostate, those were nice because the exam was more prolonged.

I've recently switched providers and have an annual exam scheduled in a few months. I'm hoping the trend continues and my new PCP examines me rectally as well. 🤞

@BenDover how was your exam with your new provider? would enjoy hearing the details.

I had my first rectal examination during a game exam. But that was a few years ago. In real life, I haven't had a rectal exam yet.

@BenDover how was your exam with your new provider? would enjoy hearing the details.

Sorry, but this a long story. The short answer is that I have not received an exam recently.

Sigh... I wish I had an exciting experience to tell you about, unfortunately, I have yet to actually receive a recent physical exam. I left my previous PCP, the one I posted about earlier that gave me my first DRE, in January 2022 due to a change in insurance. That was my last physical exam. I switched to a completely new medical group with a new to me system and providers. I picked a new PCP and scheduled what I thought was a new patient exam. It turns out that it's an appointment just to get established. I saw him 2 more times for follow ups. This past summer, I went online and specifically scheduled an "annual physical exam" with my new doctor. This is the exam I mentioned in my previous post, and the one that @doctors_office asked about. The afternoon before my exam, I get a call and am told my doctor is sick and I need to reschedule. The first available time is in 2 days with a female NP, so I take it. It would have been months later if I waited for my PCP.

Apparently, at the medical group I switched to, every appointment is scheduled for 30 minutes. Doesn't matter if it's a follow-up, sick visit, or annual exam. The NP walked into my exam room 20 minutes late, talked about my heart for about 10 minutes, then walked out. Turns out, that was considered my physical. I noticed on my clinic report afterwards her noting normal lung and bowel sounds. Normal abdominal exam and HEENT. Basically, she reported that she examined me when she didn't even touch me. I have no idea if that was normal or not. Unfortunately, I also have no idea how my actual PCP would have conducted the exam. Now, I'll never know.

I was so unhappy with that medical group that I recently decided to look once again for a new PCP. I went online and found a female NP that I was interested in. By chance she had an opening for a new patient exam in 2 days time. I had that appointment yesterday. Her, the assistant, and the office were all fantastic. Hopefully this continues and I've found myself a keeper.

I'm not sure if they normally do a physical at the new patient exam, but mine did not yesterday. When she asked why I was there, I replied just to establish as a new patient. When she went into my chart online, she saw that I (was supposed to have) received a physical the previous month. So she just did the basics, but understandably so. She did however have me sit up on the exam table to listen to my heart and lungs. Then she had me lie down to listen to my heart and stomach, then performed a quick abdominal exam. All of this without undressing or lifting my shirt. At the previous medical group, I never even sat on an exam table. We'll just have to wait and see how this goes.