How Old at First Prostate Exam

I had my first at 20, I was having trouble urinating

I was 18 for my military service pre-entry physical and the female doctor who was surprisingly gentle considering she looked like the toughest marine you can imagine told me to relax and it would be quick etc... It was uncfortable and took about 30 seconds but I obviously lived through it and as she said nobody ever died of embarrassment. Luckily that part of my exam was done in private I was never told or asked why I just wanted to finish as quickly as possible that day so I was happy to be pulled from line!

I had my first rectal exam at age eleven, lying back upon the table. Didn't know anything about the prostate gland (home computers and internet didn't even exist back then) or knew I had one, but his inserted finger up my rectum firmly pressed on something many times before he'd finished, causing me unknown and extreme embarrassment.

At age eleven, mom still stayed in the exam room with me from the start of my physical. Toward the end of the physical, the pediatrician asked me to lie on the table face up and extend my legs straight. (I'd usually been sitting on the side of the table with my legs dangling over the edge above the floor) After doing so, he proceeded to feel, press and poke my entire torso, and even slid his bare hands under the waistband of my briefs for a few seconds, which was the only piece of clothing I was still wearing, before that part of my physical had been complete.

Up until this point, everything about my physical had been pretty much as usual as previous years. I'd had a yearly physical with the same male pediatrician and female nurse as far back as I can recall. Usually though while I was still lying back on the table and after the pediatrician had felt, pressed and poked my torso, he'd lower the waistband on the front of my briefs down just enough so he could do a quick feel and visual check on my genitals, before he'd slip my briefs back in place. Then that would typically be the end of my physical, and he'd tell me to get dressed. While I quickly did so, mom, pediatrician and nurse continued talking until I'd finished. Then mom and I left the building, and I wouldn't visit him again for another year. (I very, very rarely got sick) And sometimes when mom and I were on the way home, we'd discuss a few things that'd happened and briefly talk about some things for a little while, then the subject would be dropped dead.

However, this particular time after the pediatrician examined my torso, he looked over at mom and talked to her for a bit, before asking her to step out of the room for a few minutes. (mom had been watching what was happening while she sat in a chair against the wall, facing the end of the table since my physical had started) As soon as mom got up and left the room, closing the door behind herself, with pediatrician still standing on one side of the table and nurse on the other while I lye there, his hands reached to the sides of my waist, hooked fingers under the waistband of my briefs, told me to raise my butt off the table a bit, and he swiftly pulled my briefs down to almost my ankles. Well, that alone was something new and quite a surprise to me. After I'd set my butt back down a moment later, the nurse slightly lifted my calves off the table and he finished completely removing my briefs. So now I'm lying in front of them on the table totally naked with legs extended straight, which I surely wasn't happy about to say the least.

After the pediatrician placed my briefs down on the end of the table, he turned and stepped over to a countertop, pulled a pair of white latex gloves out of a box, slid those on his hands, then returned to the side of the table. He then instructed me to bend my legs/knees to about ninety degrees, keeping my feet on the table but touching together at center table. (frog position?) After the nurse assisted me a little so I was set in proper position, he then proceeded to thoroughly examine my genitals and afterward, he did a hernia check which included turn your head and cough, although I was lying on the table. (first hernia check I'd ever had)

When he'd finished performing those two things, pediatrician again stepped over to the countertop, picked up a white tube and removed the black cap, squeezing a glob of clear jelly on a gloved fingertip. (I had absolutely know idea why he was doing that) Placing the tube down and returning to the side of the table, he briefly explained to me what he was going to do next, which was perform a rectal exam and needed to insert a lubricated finger up my anus, so he could feel all around in my rectum. Well, now I'm starting to freak out inside. Besides I was already pretty nervous and embarrassed just to be lying on the table naked in front of them, now he's telling me he'd be shoving a finger up my ass. But, before could say or do anything, hoping to prevent that from happening, the nurse suddenly grabbed my ankles using both hands, lifted my feet high off the table, then bent my legs back toward my chest a bit beyond ninety degrees.

I can't really recall if I'd struggled with them or not so it wouldn't happen, but I can remember the pediatrician telling me to calm down in a pleasant yet stern manner, immediately reminding me that the procedure needed be done whether I wanted him to do it or not, and my physical wouldn't be over until he'd given me a rectal exam. After I'd eventually calmed down a little, he placed his fingertip on my anus and gently rubbed around it a bit, and telling me to relax. Seconds later he told me to take a long deep breath, slowly exhale and remain relaxed. So I did as instructed and while doing so, he tried carefully penetrating me with his finger but failed, because I'd immediately tensed tight. After waiting several seconds after further encouraging me calm down, we tried the whole inhale, exhale and remain relax routine again, and on the second attempt his finger penetrated my ass, sliding all the way to the knuckles.

What the fuck. It certainly stung pretty badly and kinda hurt. I'd never, ever stuck anything up my butt before. Nothing. Not even one of my own fingers and now I have a grown man's thick finger shoved in my ass to the hilt. The longest, thickest thing that'd ever been inserted in my butt was a thin, glass rectal thermometer. He kept his finger motionless for several seconds before instructing me to tighten down on his finger as hard as possible, using my sphincter muscles. Well, I did as told. Afterward, he slowly swirled his finger around inside me one hundred and eighty degrees one way and then the other a few times, before stopping his finger on one spot in my rectum. At first his fingertip gently rubbed around that area a few times, which sure felt strange, before he began to press on a spot rather firm several times. Next thing I know I'm feeling a strong, sudden urge to urinate, and then to my utmost greatest fear, my semi-erect penis (at best) started squirting long solid streams of fluid on my chest, and some squirts shot out so forcefully a little bit actually landed on my face. So now I'm lying there nude practically bent in half on the table, and basically from my neck to groin was mostly wet with ropes of fluid my penis had expelled, which then began trickling down my sides as well.

After he'd finished and removed his finger, pediatrician again turned and stepped over to the countertop, grabbing some tissues out of a box then returned to the side of the table, and proceeded to half ass wipe off the remaining lubricant in my crack. When done, he turned and disposed the tissues and gloves he'd worn in a trashcan, handed me my briefs then stepped over to the sink and started washing his hands. Nurse then lowered my feet back down on the table then left the room, heading out to invite mom back in the room, while I'm hustling to at least put my briefs back on.

However, I still had a real big issue as the pediatrician was standing in front of the sink and washed his hands; beside a few wet spots on my face, pretty much from my neck down to lower torso was wet. I had know idea what kind of fluid it was. Doubt it was only urine though. I'd always been required to give a urine sample in a small cup in the bathroom, before I'd enter an exam room. If for some reason I couldn't stop urinating once the cup had been filled, I'd finish going in the toilet. My guess now maybe would've been urine and prostate fluid combined. I didn't know at the time and could've cared. After putting my briefs back on and sitting up on the table, now fluid is trickling my down my chest and soaking into the waistband of my briefs. I quickly slid down off the table, saw the tissue box and grabbed a handful more, wiping off my face down to lower groin, including the sides of my neck and torso, all while mom and the nurse had re-entered the room and watch me clean myself off. I got dressed real quick afterward while mom, pediatrician and nurse casually talked until I was done. What a great fucking time that physical had been. I literally wanted to die, but besides that I got real angry real fast.

I honestly thought I'd pissed off the pediatrician, which was the reason why he'd given a rectal exam. Way back when I was either age ten or eleven, he started to talk me about masturbation, normal male development and so on. He even gave me a bunch of pamphlets to bring home and read, which were packed full with information about how a male develops and so forth. But he'd also began asking me very personal, specific questions that I'd refuse to answer. Remembering back I believe he wanted to know if I might've been producing semen yet. (I was still pretty shy about sharing such personal information at age ten or eleven with anyone) And besides that, I wasn't going to begin proudly bragging about a new past-time activity I'd sometimes enjoyed doing and have mom, standing feet away from me in the same room and I'd reply yeah, I'm masturbating two or three times a day and yes, I ejaculate pearly white semen every time I do it. So anyways, I think I might've had my first prostate exam at age eleven. I can also recall the ride back home with mom was the quietest ever. She didn't say a word to me and I had nothing to say either. It'd been a horrible experience and words truly couldn't describe the way I'd felt.

If my first prostate exam didn't occur at age eleven, it must've occurred at twelve. Starting at age twelve, mom would stay in the waiting during my entire physical, then be invited in the room by the nurse afterward when I was dressed. Pretty much everything I'd mentioned above, up to lying face up on the table and pediatrician performing the feel, press and prod on my whole torso happened in sequence. But after he'd finished doing those things and I'm still wearing only my briefs, he told me to slide down off the table and stand on the floor.

The nurse who'd been in the room since the beginning of my physical then left, closing the door behind herself. So I'm alone with the pediatrician standing and he slides a low stool on wheels in front on me, puts on a pair of white latex gloves, then sits on the stool in front of me. He then pulls my briefs down to my knees and proceeds to thoroughly exam my genitals, then instructs me to do the turn your head and cough a few times hernia check. As soon as he's done those things, he pulled my briefs down to my ankle and told me to step out of them. After doing so and my briefs were completely off, he stood up off the stool, stepped over the countertop and picked up a white tube and removed the black cap, squeezing a glob of clear jelly on a fingertip. Oh fucking great, here we go again. But at least now I knew why he did that, already knowing from my physical during the previous year when I'd been eleven.

He then told me to lean over the table, giving specific instructions how to rest my chest and arms on it, have correct leg stance and point/turn feet/toes together, take a long deep breath, slowly exhale and completely relax, then tries to insert his finger, but failed though because I tighten up vise-grip closed. But after either the second or third try, his finger penetrated me to the knuckles. I was then told to squeeze his finger as hard as I could, then his finger did the one hundred and eighty degree swirl in one direction and then the other, before directly stopping on my prostate. Like last time, the pressure of fingertip was gentle at first, but I swear to god he began pressing on it harder than he had the previous year.

I can recall softly groaning because of how hard his finger was pressing inside me, and then just like the previous year, my flaccid penis started forcefully squirting fluid, but landed on the floor instead. (better than on my face and chest though) While this was occurring, the nurse suddenly enters the room and I know she heard my noises. So now she standing next to me while I'm nude and bent over the table groaning, penis spurting fluid on the floor, watching and listening to everything that's happening. As soon as his finger slid out of me, I immediately turned my head back and looked, and saw a few brown streaks on one of his fingers. Again, I literally wanted to drop dead. Talk about extreme humiliation and frustrated.

Somehow the pediatrician and nurse seemed happy though, obviously getting what they wanted, and saved a tiny fecal sample. Nurse had it with her and just smiled and left the room. Pediatrician handed me some tissues and I wiped my crack, then rapidly put my briefs back on. As he washed his hands in the sink, I grabbed several more tissues out of the box and wiped off the floor. After tossing the tissues in the trashcan and standing behind him only wearing my briefs, I so badly wanted to punch him in the back of the head. Yup, I know it would've been a cheap shot, but I swear I was so fucking pissed off, if it wasn't for my mom and nurse entering the room at any moment, I would've fucking nailed him as hard as I could.

Something else I should probably share is when I was twelve years old, I stood six feet tall barefoot. Puberty hit me pretty hard ages ten through twelve, and I wasn't a skinny bean pole nor a fat slob either. I was in good shape with good natural muscle tone. I was a bit taller than the pediatrician and even my dad. But the damn pediatrician shoving his finger up my ass, causing fluid to ejaculate out of my penis was just too damn much. I wanted to kill the son of a bitch in the worst way. I actually felt the after effects of my rectal exam at age twelve two days later. Did something hurt inside my rectum? No. Did I have a strange feeling inside my rectum? Yes. Anyway, had another great fucking time visiting the pediatrician for that yearly physical. Was another very quiet ride home back with mom afterward. My rectal exams thereafter were performed with me bent over the table until age sixteen or seventeen, and then those suddenly stopped. Didn't know why and I wasn't about to remind him to give me one. So I'll leave it up to you fine folks to decide, and everything I'd described above is all absolutely true; do you think I might've had my first prostate exam at either age eleven or twelve.

Not till 22 and can't remember what led to it, it was something in particular, but I was astounded at the sensation and then amazed/embarrassed to see fluid squirt out of my penis. What the hell? I thought. I didn't pee or cum and yet here is this fluid. It felt strangely good but the doctor just went ahead with the rest of the exam as if nothing had happened.

This wasn't me, but two of my buddies (at least two of them) had their first prostate exam during their pre-college physical so both of them had just turned 18.

I wish my pediatrician had done that during my pre-college physical.

I was in my early 60s and had heard stories of men getting prostate cancer at an early age, so asked my doctor if I could have a PSA test. He said that they were not too reliable, and if I was concerned, he'd like to do a rectal examination on me, and would I be happy to have one there and then. I said yes, and was then asked to remove my trousers and underpants and lay on the couch in a foetal position on my left hand side. Once there it was seconds before he sat behind me and lubricated my ring then slid his finger up into me. He felt around for probably half a minute, then withdrew his finger and asked me to get up and gave me a tissue to wipe myself. Once over and sitting in front of him, he said that I had nothing to worry about, but that if I still wanted the PSA test, then he would arrange it but he did not feel it served any purpose. Needless to say, I was happy so leave it at that. I always take a shower and wear clean clothes before seeing my doctor, and will often take a douche too in case of any internal examination that may be asked of me. Does anyone else do the same before visiting their doctor?

I was 46... and very surprised!

I never went for annual exams at all until I was put on medication in my early to mid 30's and then was required to go in every year or so for renewals. My previous doctor only did a quick, cursory check of my head, heart, and lungs. I literally sat on the exam table for maybe 2-4 minutes at most. I went to her for around 10 years and never once had to remove (or raise/ lower) any of my clothing. I just thought that was the new normal.

Early this year I switched to a new PCP and he requested I come in for a "comprehensive annual review". I wasn't entirely sure what that meant but assumed it was a physical/ check-up of some kind. I had a strong suspicion that this doctor was going to be more thorough than my last. I honestly thought there was a 50/50 chance of getting a hernia exam (before my previous doctor I just thought this was standard for men), but only a slim chance of getting a prostate exam because I was under 50. After the nurse took my vitals and we had a quick chat she told me, "I'm going to keep you in those clothes. Besides, nobody wants to meet the doctor while they're naked". I remember her telling me that very clearly because it fueled my medfet very nicely! He came in, with me fully clothed, and we had a nice long 40 minute chat/ medical history/ question & answer period. During that time he told me a few times that he was very minimalist and wasn't going to be putting me "through the wringer". I assumed that meant no intimate exams at all. My second red flag was when he asked about getting up at night to pee, then said, "We'll have to check your PSA with your labs". My first red flag was when I walked in the exam room with the nurse and noticed a tube of lubricant lying on the counter next to the rolling stool near the end of the exam table.

When we started the exam, he had me climb up on the table, still fully clothed. It was at that point that I thought this wasn't going to be too bad, just like my last doctor. I could feel my nervousness and anxiety plummet. His exam progressed as expected. He was indeed more thorough and detailed than my last doctor. Taking his time and talking, explaining, and questioning as we went. After finishing the abdominal exam, I remember thinking this was the moment of truth. Then he had me sit up and continued examining my back and then reflexes. We made it past the point of no return, yay. At this point I think I purged any remaining nerves and anxiety. I was completely at ease. He just finished setting his rubber reflex hammer down on the counter when he turned to me and said, "Ok, it's time for your hernia exam".

I could literally feel my stomach drop to my feet and my head start spinning. I think I silently sat there, motionless, for a few seconds. It felt like an eternity. I slowly started moving and eventually complied to the instructions he gave me. I'm always embarrassed with this part of the exam, but this time I was completely mortified. I think being totally caught off guard really made it that much more profound and exaggerated than normal.

After a very thorough genital and hernia exam, the doctor stands up and says, "Alright..." as he is walking away from me. I realize I survived that ordeal and begin to pull up my pants and underwear that were bunched up mid thighs. He just reaches the side of the exam table when he turns and looks at me pulling my waistbands over my penis. "... I'm going to go ahead and examine your prostate now. The easiest way to do that is for you to lean over the table on your elbows. Feet slightly apart, point your toes in a bit". While he is telling me this, he is also demonstrating to me what to do. Once again I get that stomach dropping, head spinning feeling. Once again I briefly stand there silent and motionless, trying to comprehend what is happening to me... and what is about to happen to me. I stand there, staring at my doctor who is now looking at me while he is bent over the exam table on his forearms with his toes pointed at each other. I remember slowly shuffling over to the table, time seemed to be standing still. As I get closer, he stands up and backs away, giving me room to get in position. Standing in front of the table, I reach down and lower my pants and underwear to my knees in one slow motion, then lean forward and rest my forearms on the table. At some point I come to realize I could feel his fingers on my crack, gently spreading me apart, looking and examining me back there. I have never felt so exposed and vulnerable than that moment. It felt like forever. I heard movement and then felt his fingers leave me. Next was the unmistakable sound of the cap being flipped open on the tube of lubricant. Once again I could feel him touching me back there. He said something to me that I didn't hear (didn't comprehend is probably more accurate).

Briefly I felt the cold goo on my puckered up hole, then in one quick moment, his finger was completely inside me. I was surprised that it didn't hurt at all. I do not remember feeling him move his finger at all. It did not hurt, did not feel good, did not feel bad. I did not feel any pressure nor that I needed to urinate like a lot of men describe feeling. To me, it just felt weird or strange. And as quickly as it began, he was done. I was surprised at how quickly it was over. Took maybe 5 seconds.

I didn't even realize it was over until I saw him out of the corner of my eye walking away. He was pulling off his gloves as he was walking to the sink. I stood up and hesitated, not exactly sure what to do next. I was waiting to see if he handed me any tissues. I could feel the lube between my cheeks. He looked at me while he finished dying his hands, then started talking to me while he began writing in my chart. I took that to mean I was getting no tissues and proceeded to get dressed. I walked over to my chair and was afraid to sit down, knowing that the residual lube would squish into any and all remaining areas of my back side. Eventually, I faced the inevitable and sat down. I will admit, I kind of liked sitting there having a completely normal conversation with a person that just had their finger up my butt. Looking him in the eyes while simultaneously feeling the strange slippery goo squishing in my crack. Overall, a very unique experience.

I never went for annual exams at all until I was put on medication in my early to mid 30's and then was required to go in every year or so for renewals.

This is pretty much like me. Went in for sporadic ones, then had the discussion with my wife - you know, the one where you agree that neither of you is going to make the other do anything medically that you don't want to? Well, maybe that one isn't too common then.

Anyway, it was like the doctor read my mind or my wife had somehow leaked the agreement to her. She said "oh, and this med requires yearly evals. Don't worry - we can do them at your annual physical." To emphasize it the prescription label on the bottle even read "physical required before xx/xx/xxxx for renewal."

Since then it's become mostly a routine, no big deal really, even when the DRE became a part of it (hernia always had been).

Wife teased me about it a bit, "oh, remember our agreement ... oh, wait - you need to go in anyway!" type of thing.

@BenDover ... I got extremely hard reading your post!

I am 30 years old and I have yet to have a prostate exam.

I haven’t had one yet at 24.

I’m 25 and I’m hoping I get my first prostate exam soon!

I’m 25 and I’m hoping I get my first prostate exam soon!

I hate to tell you, but I think unless you have problematic symptoms most doctors don't start this now until you've turned 50. Look on the bright side... you're half way there!

I hate to tell you, but I think unless you have problematic symptoms most doctors don't start this now until you've turned 50. Look on the bright side... you're half way there!

And you really don't want to have problematic symptoms, they aren't fun. Best thing is to find a partner/friend/whatever to give you more sensual prostate treatments. There are even some hints that they might be a bit healthy, even though the info is very preliminary and sort of mixed at this point.

19. The military doesn't go by any age factor.

I hate to tell you, but I think unless you have problematic symptoms most doctors don't start this now until you've turned 50. Look on the bright side... you're half way there!

I’ve got an appointment with a urologist this week to be seen about a varicocele and to schedule the varicocele embolization procedure. Also, I currently have a perianal thrombosis (Thrombosed External Hemorrhoid), and have a family history of prostate problems so I’m curious if the urologist will want to examine my prostate? Haha I’ll find out!

... varicocele embolization procedure. Also, I currently have a perianal thrombosis (Thrombosed External Hemorrhoid)...

I don't know what any of that is... but man, it sure doesn't sound pleasant! I'm afraid to even Google that, you can't un-see whatever pops up. Good luck with all that (and with getting what you want out of the exam)!

I don't know what any of that is... but man, it sure doesn't sound pleasant! I'm afraid to even Google that, you can't un-see whatever pops up. Good luck with all that (and with getting what you want out of the exam)!

You can safely Google “varicocele” or “varicocele embolization“ but Google “perianal thrombosis” at your own risk! Haha

I’ve got an appointment with a urologist this week to be seen about ... so I’m curious if the urologist will want to examine my prostate? Haha I’ll find out!

@MedFet_AL , did you get a DRE from your urologist?

I turned 40 in December, and had a physical exam 2 weeks before my birthday, and yet I still have never had a prostate exam. Of course I understand that sort of thing is getting phased out anyway, but frankly it would be nice to have some peace of mind that everything is working OK down there....

I've only had two, but both of mine have only been 10-12 seconds at most for insertion, palpation, and withdrawal.

I turned 40 in December, and had a physical exam 2 weeks before my birthday, and yet I still have never had a prostate exam. Of course I understand that sort of thing is getting phased out anyway, but frankly it would be nice to have some peace of mind that everything is working OK down there....

At least as of last year the recommendation was to have a discussion about screening at 50 (with the addendum that it can be dropped lower if there is family or personal history of prostate issues, which is why I got the discussion at 40).

... it can be dropped lower if there is family or personal history of prostate issues

Or if you have symptoms, like getting up to pee at night or other urinary issues.

I was 40 and my GP stated during my physical that he will need to perform a prostate exam yearly. I felt quite a bit of pressure and was surprised at the feeling of having to pee as he explained this would happen. It was over in 10 seconds. I continue to have them yearly since then for the last 16 years, the last ten years they were performed by my female GP which are pretty quick as well.

@BenDover My urologist didn’t do a DRE. Not surprised tbh, he was always in and out in like 5-10 minutes.

I was 23 or 24. It was an annual employment exam that everyone had to get. We all had to go to the same doctor. I remember the guys kidding around askig if the doctor had his hands on your shoulders as you were bent over the table.

Eventually my employer figured out it was cheaper for everyone to go to their own doctor for the physical.

I was about 20 YO. I think my doctor invented the DRE...... I had a very unusual problem of a 30 minute burning sensation that would come and go. I could set a clock after it started and 30 minutes later it was over, for a day or two. My doctor was known for unusual tests that found unusual problems. Without warning he asked me to drop my drawers and bend over. He stuck a gloved finger in me so deep it made me cringe. Then he pushed so hard I felt like I had peed myself. What had happened is the fluid in my prostate was pushed out. He knew this was going to happen, because he immediately grabbed an awaiting micro-scope slide, grabbed my penis and dabbed some of the fluid on the slide. HE handed me some paper towels and said clean yourself up and get dressed. In a minute or so, he returned and informed me that he found no infections in the prostate fluid. He was going to do more testing, at his lab.

I never did find a reason for this problem other than maybe an over worked prostate and dehydration. Drinking lots of fluids seem to keep the problem to a minimum.

18— just moved up from pediatrician to doc for adults. Had me climb up on table in some odd feeling position involving positioning of limbs, then gave me what in retrospect was the most thorough prostate exam i’ve had to date — he used lots of lube and i think more than one finger inside. It felt shockingly good. I also dripped lube for hours afterwards.

At age 13 I suffered from a prostatitis. This was first time my pediatrician pushed his bug finger in my bum, what really hurt. I had to bend over the examination couch which was too high for me, so my feet had no contact to the floor. Then I felt his large finger entering and pressing at my prostate for short. Afterwards I was sent to the hospital. I didn't know if I was angry about that examination or shocked that I might be I'll severely.

In the hospital another doc did the same to me and decided to let me stay in hospital. I got familiar with getting examined that way, because it was repeated nearly daily. I remember that for the visit, I asked if they want to feel the prostate again and rolled over to side/stomach and lowered my sweatpants. The first doc touched my bottom cheek, laughed and mentioned that this is first time a kid like me made that kind of offer. Another doc took the chance and examined me. So oce was broken.

I also got familiar with the ultrasound, first on my belly, afterwards with a stick in my bum. During my stay for two weeks I received it maybe 4 or 5 times. First time was really weird, I had to roll on my side, then that stick was pushed in and filled me, so was my impression. I really moaned when that stick was moved around.

What was really nasty was the urodynamic and the endoscopy of my bladder, that really hurt...

After 2 weeks, my prostate was nearly recovered, but my bum hole felt sore and while whipping after being on toilet I recognized bit blood.so I received a proctoscopy on my last day in hospital. Felt weird, but not that horrible than urodynamic or the endoscopy. I was glad to hear that my sore bum can be treated at home.

At age 13 I suffered from a prostatitis. ... I got familiar with getting examined that way, because it was repeated nearly daily.

Why would they do a DRE every day? They know that you have prostatitis, they know it takes a while to heal, they know it hurts like hell to poke an infected prostate, so why not do it once and let the antibiotics work for a couple days before doing it again?

Especially if your prostatitis was also showing as a fever. They could track it that way if they felt the need.

I was older but I got one gentle DRE at the beginning then nothing while the antibiotics were working -well, except for the time I decided to feel what "boggy" felt like and wasn't gentle... I was sure going through my list of cuss words then!