Prostate Exam Position

What position do you have your DRE performed? At my annual exam, she typically has me turn onto my side, knee raised to chest, and feel her raise my upper cheek some and then insert. On oaccassion, the NP or the other doctor has done the DRE with me leaning over onto the exam table elbows down. I feel the probing more in that position for some reason maybe I am more tense. Recto/vag is always done on my back spread in stirrups. I have heard that some have it done either on their side or in the knee position. Do you feel a difference depending on the position?

Have a wonderful day.....Julie

On my side with me knees up

I haven't had my first "real" one yet but I'm getting to that age. I hope its on the table in knee-chest. I could only be so lucky though. I'm sure it will be just bent over the table😢

My very first was at the age of 26 on top of the table naked on my hands and knees. Quite a shock to the system.

Reposing on left side (left lateral) knees drawn up the favoured...Though that is not to say other positions equally satisfying,dependant upon a given situation .....

Most have been either on my side with my legs drawn up or bent over the table while leaning on my elbows. Recent trips to a colon/rectal surgeon introduced me to a new far more effective position on the power operated 'tipping table'. I would get on my knees on a pad at the edge of the table. When the table turns I am basically in a jackknife position with my head pointing down. That gave the doc quite the target! Very effective....

I've only ever had a DRE as part of a prostate exam and that was done with me standing in front of the exam table, facing it, with my legs slightly spread, bent over with my elbows resting on the table.

There are multiple positions that you can ask your patient to stand or lie. These include:

Standing position: patient standing with toes pointing in, then leans over a table

Left lateral decubitus (Sims position): patient lies on left side with left hip/leg straight and the right hip/knee is bent

Knee to chest: patient with lying on table facing down with knees up to chest bent forward

(Both the standing and knee to chest positions are optimal for the prostate exam).

Although in the UK the Left lateral decubitus (Sims position) is usually modified by positioning the patient comfortably in the left lateral position. Flex hips and knees and position the buttocks at the edge of the couch.

For years it was always pants and underwear down around my ankles and me bent over the exam table.

Now it seems that the Sims position is the prefered position.

For me, usually standing, bent over the table resting on my elbows. Only had one in Sims position. I definitely feel a more in depth probing bent over the table. My wife has had one bent over the table as well, but usually in the stirrups at the end of a pelvic exam.

I'v had man. Always on my left side with either my right knee or both knees drawn to my chest. Both exposes me well .

I think my doctor is more embarrassed than I am, so it has only been bending over the table and is over before it starts!

Usually with my hands and knees on the exam table or on my back with my knees drawn up to my chest. Rarely standing bending over the exam table as I dislike that position.

Multipal position but mostly bend over table and gown opem from back

I really think there are already other threads on this same topic. But I don't mind discussing it again. 😃

Over the years, I've had different positions.

1) Standing on the floor, bent over the exam table. This is probably the most common, and it's ok. Not my favorite position, but not one that I hate either.

2) Standing on the pull-out step on the exam table and bent over the table. This is a variation of #1 where you're not standing on the floor but on the step instead. But you're still bending over the table. The result is that your ass is up higher and you bend over further. I really like this one, but have only had it a few times with doctors that I no longer see.

3) Laying on the table on my left side, knees pulled up to chest. I hate this position. I don't feel comfortable at all in it, and it also doesn't do anything for my medfet desires 😃

4) On my knees and elbows on the exam table. My feet are spread apart, my ass is high in the air and obviously the target of what's about to happen, my head is resting down on the exam table. I love this position -- my absolute favorite.

Positions that I've never had but would be more than willing to try include on my back pulling my legs up, and in stirrups.

JimmyJohnson -

My first was on the table on knees and elbows. For yours, how old were you? Were you naked

It shocked me that a doctor still did this position.

My first was on the table on knees and elbows. For yours, how old were you? Were you naked It shocked me that a doctor still did this position.

I've been on knees and elbows many times. The very first time this happened, I was just a kid. I don't remember exactly how old I was, but it was certainly under 10. I was having some digestive issues at the time and my peds put me in that position and did a thorough rectal exam! I still remember that exam which is probably why I like this position so much.

But I've also been in that position more recently, including just in the last couple of months for an annual physical. I had a doctor and an NP that I saw a few years ago that regularly used that position. Then I had to switch doctors due to insurance plan changes. My current doctor normally used the stand and bend position, but for my last physical I told her I didn't really think that position was that comfortable. I suggested the knee and elbows position, saying that I had that in the past and that it seemed easier for the examiner to reach the prostate (that's what my old doctor always told me) and more comfortable for me. She agreed and did it that way.

I have, or rare occasions, had it done in the Sims position. (No crazy about that) Usually, I am bent over, arms on the exam table, head resting on the arms. Then my NP goes in deep.

Usually bending over the exam table, but have had it done in the sims position. One Doctor I had thought it undignified to have you bend over the table so would always have you lie on your side.

Normally bending over the exam table, although i have had on side.

Usually bent over the table, but did have a couple of dre on all fours which is my favorite. Love to be in stirrups.

For me it has only been done on my side. My wife only has had a rectal in stirrups during her gyn exam. She has never had a rectovag exam.

Only had the Sims position

One side knee bent

I prefer DRE when lying on my back

My doc has me stand on the exam table step, undies at ankles, bent over , chest on the table. he has good access, and I cant move around on him, as if id want to...

I've most often received a rectal exam while on my back, legs apart and feet in the stirrups. I did have one which was done on my side with knee bent up.

On all fours on the table

Men, what position were you in to have your prostate checked in your most recent exam?

I ask this question because of what happened during my most recent physical. My doctor always checks my prostate during my annual physical. Prior to my last physical, I was usually placed on my left side, and told to draw my legs up towards my chest. To get into position, I sat on the exam bench, then laid on my right side and rolled over onto my back and then onto my left side. I have been having increasing trouble getting rolled all the way over. Rolling onto my back wasn't that difficult, but when I was trying to get over onto my left side, I was having trouble. My GP was already gloved and ready to go, so he stopped me from trying and said 'just lay your legs apart', which I did; feet on the exam table, and he was in and rummaged a few seconds, and out in a flash. Later on I checked on the male anatomy, and see that perhaps this is a reasonable position to do this exam, given the location of the prostate relative to the anus. Two questions have arisen in my mind in consequence of this:

First, has anyone else seen, done or had this done to them? that is with the patient in that position.

Second, is this the position that some women refer to as the 'frog legs' position? I occurred to me that it would be similar to a frogs legs if he were laid on his back.

One of my favorite topics COS; during my recent annual physical, I was bent over the exam table cross-wise with legs spread. The doctor inserted his finger and did a cursory "finger wave" type exam that most GPs do anymore. I wonder if they're afraid to do an actual prostate check like a urologist does and actually FIRMLY press on that horny little acorn size gland so that you get a sensation of an urgent need to urinate. The whole exam was like ten seconds and not nearly long enough to really enjoy or get a thorough check of the prostate IMO.