Males: Position for Rectal or Genital Exam

At the pediatrician up to age 12 or so, lying on my back.

Every exam since, standing up.

I haven’t had a rectal exam yet.

At the pediatrician as a teenager., Always lying on the exam table. Since then, always standing after dropping underwear down.

So I have some interesting experience with this as I have been a standardized patient model for several years for a local doctoring and nursing program.

So twice a year i get examined by 7 to 10 first year medical students at a time. Over the years, the facilitators always seem to have different opinions on positions, though certainly a majority prefer standing for genital exam and then standing bent over for rectal. The hernia check is better done when everything is hanging. However, I have pointed out that most times, the patient will be lying down for the abdominal check first and it makes more sense to proceed to the genital and testicular exam while the patient is lying down since it is easier to see everything, especially the perineal area, or, if a person is overweight, it's easier to check any folds of skin for lesions, rashes etc. The patient can be asked to then stand for the hernia check but, if they are athletic/slim like me, the hernia check can also be done lying down. Then the patient can stand and bend over the table for the rectal exam.

I do find myself getting erections easier lying down so that's an added bonus in my opinion. I've even had some spontaneous orgasms while being examined.

At the urologist, I just drop my pants and face the doctor for the genital exam. Then I turn around and bend over the table for the rectal exam. At my PCP I’m in gown and the genital exam is done while I’m laying on my back.

It’s usually the standard just lay down on the examination table and then turn to one side for the rectal exam. Nothing special these days.

However, I have pointed out that most times, the patient will be lying down for the abdominal check first and it makes more sense to proceed to the genital and testicular exam while the patient is lying down since it is easier to see everything, especially the perineal area.. if they are athletic/slim like me, the hernia check can also be done lying down.....I do find myself getting erections easier lying down so that's an added bonus in my opinion. I've even had some spontaneous orgasms while being examined.

So when you are lying down, are you in a gown? Are you wearing any undergarment? Do the students manipulate your gown & or undergarment to expose you?

I've been examined in both positions. I dont have a preference as I enjoy it either way.

Play docs have examined me in both positions during the same examination but real G.P only in one.

I've had genital exams both lying on my back on the table and standing.I have had rectal exams lying on the table on my left side, standing with my hands onmy knees, bent over the end of the table and one time I was lying face down on the table and had a rectal exam prior to the insertion of an anuscope. Most of the time it's bending over the end of the table and that is my personal favorite.

When I was younger, it was always when sitting on the exam table. As I got older, it would be while standing in front of the doctor. My physician has never performed any sort of rectal exam.

For the genital exam it was always laying down on my back but at my most recent physical it was while I was standing.

I never had a rectal exam so yea! Nothing to say about that! Yet

When I was younger I was told to lay down, but by the time I was 15 I was told to stand up

I had been seeing a female internist who did the prostate exam with me laying on my side with my knees pulled up. I was instructed to leave my underwear on under the gown so when the time came she pulled them down far enough to get access. Always the same for about five annual exams. (I thought if someone was going to check my prostate it might as well be an attractive thirty something women). I had to change providers for insurance reasons and went with a male physician. He told me he had never found a single case of prostate cancer with a digital exam in twenty some years of practice and said he only did them if requested. I did have him check my testicles once to check for varicose veins.

I've received genital exams in both standing and lying down positions; not sure why some have been conducted one way rather than the other...

When I go for STD screenings, mostly it's standing up - the doctor tells me to take my briefs down and hold my shirt out of the way, so I'm stood there with my penis and balls hanging out for the exam. Then, for the rectal swab, I'm asked to lie on my side on the couch.

But I've also been asked to undress completely from the waist down on occasion, and lie down for an examination of my genitals and a swab.

I've had them both while standing and while laying down on my side, but never while laying down on my back, legs in stirrups, as some have mentioned.

not sure why some have been conducted one way rather than the other...

I think part of it is what doctors were trained to do, and feel most comfortable having the patient in a certain position. When I had my 1st prostate exam with my present primary care, she said she could only reach a 3rd of my prostate. When I suggested we could try another position to see if she could feel more, she claimed there WAS no other position. I let it go. But I've had them either leaning over the table, or supine, depending on who was doing it.

but never while laying down on my back, legs in stirrups, as some have mentioned.

I think docs don't go with this for fear of humiliating male patients into feeling feminine. Especially in an age where modesty is a big deal, as they have men now wearing gowns. However, certain docs may feel that position gives them the best access and allows for more accurate diagnosis. But I'm sure most avoid it if they can, Because again, modesty & minimizing on humiliation tend to be a focus.

My first genital examination was done when I had to change pediatricians at age 11, due to the death of my prior doctor. Before I went to the new doctor, the prior one would just stick his hand down my underwear and feel the balls quickly. I did not even have to undress for those exams, but, rather, the doctor just worked around my clothing. The new doctor, who I continued to see for physicals annually from 11-18 when I went away to college, had me strip down to my underpants-tighty whities briefs-for the entire exam. The exams were pretty quick full body exams which concluded with full examination of my genitalia that involved complete exposure of the penis and scrotum. Since I had never experienced this type of exam, I was taken off guard by this event initially. The first two years I saw him, ages 11 and 12,he examined my genitals lying supine. Following palpation and auscultation of the abdomen, he simply took hold of the waist band of my briefs, one hand on either side and lowered them enough to fully reveal the penis and scrotum. He just lowered the fronts of the briefs down to upper to mid thigh level without displacing the seat of the briefs. He then proceeded to lift and inspect the penis quickly, including spreading of the meatus, and then felt each testicle. This probably lasted 20-30 seconds, after which he simply replaced the briefs in normal position. Starting at age 13, and for every year thereafter, he altered the routine such that after the abdominal exam, he instructed me to stand next to the table and "slip your pants down." I nervously would stand up and lower the briefs about the same level on my thighs I had experienced in the earlier exams when he did the exposure of me. There was no explanation for the procedural change but in later years I wondered if perhaps he wanted to show a boy who had no experience with genital exams how he expected the underpants to be pulled down for the exam he was going to do and that after a couple of years, the boy was ready to do it himself. He also added the hernia exam when he started doing the exam standing. Since then, every doctor who has examined my genitalia has done it standing. The only exception was one female doctor who did the genitals lying down and then had me stand for the hernia.

My 2 genital exams were done in standing position. First was done by female doctor in her late 50s, she pulled my underwear down without warning, Second one was done by male doctor, i was asked to lower my underwear down.

My first and only rectal exam was done on my left side with knee bend.

Usually standing for real exams, laying down for play exams

At my annual physical (same doctor for years), it's in three parts. Genitals (penis and testicles) lying down carrying on from abdominal exam. Hernia check standing. Rectal exam Sims position on my left side.

When I was younger I would either be seated at the end of the exam table or laying down on the table

The ones I had in elementary school were done standing.

I have experienced two positions for genital and rectal exams at the urologist yet. At my first visit I had to stand in front of the doctor. For the rectal exam I to bend forward and put my hands on a examination couch.

When I nowadays go for exam to my urologist (female) I have to lay down on the couch for genital exam. For the rectal exam I lay on my left side.

My genital exams have always been done standing in front of the doctor with my underwear pulled down.

For my genitalia exam it’s laying on the table first, after the abdominal exam he does an initial check of my penis and testicles.

Then I stand up and he continues the genitalia exam, hernia check and examines my fully erect penis. My rectal exams are done on my hands and knees!!

When visiting the urologist, it's mostly supine position for genital exam, followed by rectal exam in Sims position and in the end hernia check while standing.

I've had a pediatrician and a urologist examine my genitals with me laying down. Neither of those times did I receive a hernia exam though, it was strictly examining my genitals. Every time I've had a hernia exam it was with me standing and the doctor / NP sitting in front of me. The only rectal exam I've received was immediately following a hernia exam and I was standing bent over the table.

For Genital exam doctor always seat on the chair otr bed and I was standing.

For rectal bend over the table or lying on the table with legs pulled up

For a genital exam, I always stood next to the exam table.

For rectal exam, it was lying on my back with my legs slightly spread when I was a teenager and just once on all fours with head down when I was older (22) for a hemorrhoid check.

Genital and hernia standing

Rectal bent over table

Standard of preventive care has changed in the US.

Six years ago, physician would give a comprehensive 45 minute exam including skin, circulation (all pulse points), reflexes, eyes, ears, nose and throat finishing with thorough genital exam (standing) hernia check, and digital rectal exam especially for prostate and anal fissures.

In past six years, seen two doctors, older retired. Requested comprehensive exam. Neither looked into eyes or ears, one said mouth responsibility of dentist. Only wrist pulse points, so never know if occlusion in circulatory system. No skin exam, infact last exam auscultation with clothes on.

No genital exam. New data says 20% of testicular cancer in men over 50, so there ought to be mandatory exam.

No hernia exam.

No digital rectal for prostate cancer.

Asked doctor why, she said it's the standard of care and they are overworked.

I asked for such exams. Got referred to dermatologist, where underwear never came off. What if you had a wart or mole on buttocks? They would never detect.

Sent to cardiologist for heart assessment.

Rhumatologist for joint pain.

Urologist for prostate, testicular, hernia, and nocturia.

Ironically, the urologist said all of the above could be done by the internist.

What is your experience?

I am standing for mine with my legs spread at shoulder width