Gloves or no gloves for a play exam?

I'm this paranoid germaphobe with incredibly sensitive skin.. especially in the pelvic area. Please wear gloves!

By and large, I prefer gloves. The sound of them snapping onto a doc's hands and how they feel on your skin makes the role play feel more true to life (and a little kinkier, too). And beyond being just a prop, they help to keep play clean and sanitary. (Probably the more important thing, right?) That said, there are a few procedures where bare hands are a total turn-on, like auscultation and palpation, because those are more intimate forms of touch. Other procedures with bare hands, like an oral exam or a testicular exam/hernia check, could be fun because, as a patient, I'd probably feel a little violated because the doc isn't taking the usual precautions. But for that, I'd have to really know and trust the play doc before working that into a play exam.

As the patient, I definitely want the play doc to wear gloves.

I'm on the fence. Though I agree the sight of them and even the thought of that snap! is thrilling, something about the doctor's actual hands on me while examining seems just as thrilling, if not more personal. Gloves versus skin to skin contact 💁‍♀️ just depends in the mood for me, and what I feel most comfortable with.

Certainly gloves with anything anal.

I would normally use gloves for the gyn and rectal exams, and then no gloves for the sexual response tests.

Oh bare hands please. Love love love the skin on skin sensation.

@GraceT

I understand your preference for skin-to-skin contact.

I validate the practice for everything concerning the external epidermal surface. For example, yes when palpating the breasts or the abdomen. Also for acupressure of the legs in search of circulatory disorders.

On the other hand, when you touch injured skin or internally, gloves are essential.

I even think that they are part of the game and that the tool needs to be adapted.

For example, to insert the speculum or take a smear, the 5-finger glove is essential. On the other hand, to dress the hand that will perform the vaginal or recto vaginal examination, I recommend the 2-finger vinyl finger cot.

Obviously the protections do not need to be sterile but it is advisable to change them as soon as you change the orifice.

Definatley no gloves and especially cold hands on scrotum - for those of you who have read some of my posts, brings back school medical memories

You should always wear gloves, It's important for your own safety and the patient's safety, Not wearing gloves really can't be done, I always and everywhere wear them during an exam and of course in the operating theatre by default, Also in a game I will always wear them, it's really part of it.

@NurseNina, you are right - safety and cleanliness are paramount. Additionally, the gloves are a big part of the exam atmosphere. The patient gets to see the doc take a pair from the box. The sight and sound of the gloves being put on heightens the anticipation because the patient knows all too well that fingers are about to go into some v-e-r-y intimate places.

Oh yes latex gloves are a must lube and latex sliding in your holes is best feeling! Latex is required lol!

Oh yes latex gloves are a must lube and latex sliding in your holes is best feeling! Latex is required lol!

Agree about gloves, but only use latex when you are 100% certain there is no allergy - it's surprising how many people are allergic to latex! Nitrile gloves are probably a safer choice.

I believe, before the ultra sterile world we have entered into today, the general standard was: washed hands, thoroughly, before any patient contact. Use gloves whenever the hands will come into contact with mucosal membranes, or doing any procedure where the body’s internals will be breeched (via an orifice or injection/scalpel/etc).

In a play exam, when I finally am able to do so for real, I’d start with clean hands, of course, and plenty of skin-on-skin contact for the majority of the exam. Then the application of latex or nitrile gloves as I begin the intimate portions of the exam below the waist.

The sound of the gloves followed by the smooth, “protected” sensation of the latex/nitrile on the skin sends a very strong, unspoken message from the doctor to the patient:

And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for…

-tyd

Always gloves

When I was in practice I wore gloves for any internal exam: rectal, pelvic, oral. In fact, the medical board in the state I was licensed in considered it unprofessional conduct not to wear gloves for intimate exams. However, for any other skin to skin contact I did not wear gloves. Just the way I was trained.

I think the process of putting gloves on your hands really enhances the feeling

I think gloves give the feeling

Gloves always, both as a giver or receiver. Love the smoothness and easy clean up from lube, just remove the gloves.