How long do you keep the thermometer in place?

Until my temperature is done registering.

How long did your mom hold it in when getting a rectal temperature taken ??

After mom handed me the thermometer and I inserted it, she waited 3 minutes before coming back.

At least 3 or more minutes .

Just a quick reality check here ... in simple, non-clinical, non-scientific terms...

The standard mercurial, glass thermometer takes a maximum of 3 minutes to register the high end temp. Most people do keep it in for 4 just, really out of tradition, upbringing or habit. The accuracy of the reading will not be effected by the longer it is kept in. That's a matter of personal preference. It's not going to fluctuate like a monitoring device, and, once it's up, it up. It doesn't come back down. You can actually get a fairly good reading on a mercurial thermometer after 2 minutes. Mercury heats quickly and rises in the glass tube with equal rapidness. End of story!

Play safe!

I think one of mom's glass thermometer cases read "maxima à la minute", which would mean it claimed to reach a reasonably precise reading after one minute.

Mother always said 3-5 minutes, I would watch the old analog clock beside her bed

Reading this thread, answers are all over the board; anything from two to seven minutes. I have a nurse friend who says three minutes is a good number to use. Of course, maybe you're more interested in how it feels than the accuracy of the reading. 😉)

About 3 minutes

With the traditional glass mercury thermometers it was recommend that you keep it in for a minimum of 3 mins when would provide an accurate temperature, in practice we normally kept in for 4 to 5 mins. With changes in temperature, the mercury expands and contracts, and the temperature can be read from the scale.

But alas since the European Union directive 2007/51/EC came into force on 3 April 2009, the UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported that mercury thermometers could no longer be sold to the general public. Shops holding stocks of unsold thermometers had to withdraw them from sale; mercury thermometers purchased before this date could be used without legal implications. The purpose of these restrictions is to protect the environment and public health by decreasing the amount of mercury waste released

In In January 2012, EPA ( United States Environmental Protection Agency ) also followed suit.

RN

Always had it about 3 minutes but one time when i was at doctor s office he said as i was squirming he had to retake and left it in for about 5 minutes. i actually ask play exam doctors to recreate that

Depends what I'm in the mood for, honestly. If part of it is really to take my temperature, 3 minutes or so. If it's to enjoy myself, I don't even keep track.

When I use a rectal thermometer on myself, I never use it for any medical reason but for the erotic feeling of the Vaseline covered thermometer in me. When using the thermometer I'm masturbate while recalling the many times I got my temp taken by my aunt or my gal pals or pretending to take a pretty ladies temperature while she's over my lap. I keep it in myself for a period of times that suits me at the moment. When My gal pal has taken it, she keeps it in me for a period of time since she knows I enjoy laying naked over her lap while she takes it and she likes doing it too.

I have a digital one so it only takes about 15 seconds to register the temperature.

Even if I use a digital thermometer, I hold it in place for the (old) standard three minutes. Having my hand on her backside is pleasurable for both of us, so why not prolong it a little?

Depends when doing self temperature taking i use either a digital spongebob yes the cartoon lol thermometer or when i can sneak it away the hospital grade sure temp unit in moms work bag either one i leave in till it beeps.

Depends when doing self temperature taking i use either a digital spongebob yes the cartoon lol thermometer or when i can sneak it away the hospital grade sure temp unit in moms work bag either one i leave in till it beeps.

This is probably a typical answer from anyone under 30. I love giving the old fashioned triagular glass thermometer and twirl it as I wait the entire 5 minutes with a bottom OTK. The in and out action with a spin can't beat beat. You wouldn't think something so small can still be felt by the receiver. Makes my day, yes it does

With a glass rectal thermometer, at least three minutes, more for fun.

3 minutes, but I don’t mind losing count 😃

A long time ago, I had a girlfriend who was a real fan of rectal temperature. She told me, that , at a time she was lonely, she used to keep the thermometer in place for very long time,, usually reading books as the thermometer "registered". She said her "record" was two hours.

@HannahHiney...I am glad you said something about that. When my mom was taking my rectal temperatures during my infant and toddler years, it felt like that my mom would lose track of count.

If I'm taking my roommate's temp I'll leave it in for about 5 minutes and she will do the same when she takes mine. If I'm taking my own temp usually about 1-2 minutes.

@HannahHiney well said 😁

I have a new bluetooth enabled Vicks thermometer. The app has a rectal function & I love it. The only problem is the darned thing only takes 8 srconds. Not near long enough for the receiver to experience the embarrassment of a proper 3-5 min rectal temp with others watching. 3 minutes can seem an hour then

Not long....but I often like to insert it several times and record several temps, then average them together.....

I like to keep it in about 5 to 6 minutes

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Glass , vintage , 5 to six minutes

Old glass thermometer I keep in 5 minutes use IPhone timer clock track the time.

5 minutes usually but if I'm in trouble it's 10 minutes in diaper position with the thermometer all the way in and promise you it's not fun and only happen like 3 times but sucks everytime she says "assume the punishment position"

When I use a glass rectal thermometer 3 minutes.