State of dress or undress for male physical exam

. . . . Completely naked when she checks my testicles

. . . . For the rectal I bent over the table and was completely exposed on my backside.

IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY TO DO THIS?????

To cdalberth30

That's how all my exams have been in the US. I think its now the norm.

IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY TO DO THIS?????

For testicles, the male patient could be in boxers, and she can reach in through the leg holes or fly holes and look. or move the pouch of a jockstrap from side to side.

For rectal, pants could be lowered & not necessarily off completely, or there could be a drape minimizing exposure.

For both, the patient could be in a gown pulled up, or be wearing a shirt.

So the answer is "yes".

For testicles, the male patient could be in boxers, and she can reach in through the leg holes or fly holes and look. or move the pouch of a jockstrap from side to side.

For rectal, pants could be lowered & not necessarily off completely, or there could be a drape minimizing exposure.

For both, the patient could be in a gown pulled up, or be wearing a shirt.

So the answer is "yes".

WOW!

Those would be mighty weird ways to do those exams.

Yeah, my gynecologist could reach in under my skirt too, but that isn't going to happen.

I'm curious about how other medical professionals feel about that.

In reading the various posts on the state of undress and thoroughness of the exam I have had varied experiences. I am feeling woefully short changed on my last exam. I did not undress except to remove shirt for the EKG. There was no hernia, genital or prostate exam. This was done by a female physician. However the exam before conducted by a different female doctor, I was asked to remove everything and given a drape. The extent of the genital exam was a cursory glance while I laid on the exam table quick hernia and prostate.

I have a PCP, as well as, a few specialists so I have a little more exposure (hah) than most. My experiences are about the same - they have never seen anything from my knees down, and from my waist up to my neckline. I am asked to "pull down my pants..about halfway " and then comes the digits and misc tools, but that is another story. I have seen no difference between male or female physicians.

For testicles, the male patient could be in boxers, and she can reach in through the leg holes or fly holes and look. or move the pouch of a jockstrap from side to side.

REALLY!!!

This can only be a fantasy exam and not a real one. Undressing for exam has a purpose and that is to enable the health personnel perform a thorough exam without missing any important detail which could help in arriving at a right diagnosis

REALLY!!!

This can only be a fantasy exam and not a real one. Undressing for exam has a purpose and that is to enable the health personnel perform a thorough exam without missing any important detail which could help in arriving at a right diagnosis

First, I agree with you 100%

Second, I had a female PCP who had a med student shadowing. She did the testicular exam by folding the bottom sheet into a diaper drape and reaching through the leg hole.

WOW!

Those would be mighty weird ways to do those exams.

Yeah, my gynecologist could reach in under my skirt too, but that isn't going to happen.

I'm curious about how other medical professionals feel about that.

Y'all know that I teach this stuff at a medical school. I also write the curriculum for the male genitalia exam and DRE. I also train the MUTAs (Male Urogenital Teaching Assistants). We teach that the exam requires 4 of the 5 senses (taste not involved). You MUST look, listen, feel and smell in order to adequately perform physical diagnosis. This includes being able to see skin under hair. If you're not doing this, you're doing a partial exam, not just genitals, but every part of the body.

How times change!! Between 1960 and 1982 (OK, mostly as a child, then teen & mostly at school) I had over 20 medical examinations and I had to strip naked for all of them. 5 years ago I went to see my GP to checknout a potential UTI. I just had to lower my trousers and underpants, not even to the knees whilst he briefly inspected my genitalia before making his diagnosis.

2 years ago, I took advantage of a U K NHS scheme to have a sort of 'Well Man' general check up (in my 60s by now). My GP had changed to a female. She did lots of the old 'school style' tests while I was fully dressed. To listen to my heart / chest etc I had to undo my shirt, but did not have to take it off. To listen through the back of my torso, she put the stethoscope beneath my shirt and moved it around. She palpated my abdomen with my shirt opened, but not off.

Referring to my notes she asked if I had had any further problems with UTI symptoms or any other problems 'in that area'. I said no. She did not check my genitals or anal area at all. I was actually quite disappointed (LOL)...but I also thought that in view of potential cancers ( testicular, prostate etc), that she should have checked out my balls, cock and ass.

Testicular cancer is rare in older men. It's mostly found in men between 16 and 35. Now, prostate is a different thing....

Referring to my notes she asked if I had had any further problems with UTI symptoms or any other problems 'in that area'. I said no.

I've always hated the "do you have any problems in that area" type of question. My feeling is that it's the doctor's job to determine whether or not I have any problems in a particular area -- otherwise I'm just self-diagnosing. How the hell do I actually know whether or not I might have an undiscovered problem in a particular area? I have no medical training whatsoever.

When asked that question, I think the proper answer should be: "I haven't noticed any issues, but since I'm here I would feel much better if you checked everything." What's wrong with that?

Very sensible reply Jimmy. I agree. I should have been more politely assertive. In future I shall be. Thanks.

5 years ago I went to see my GP to checknout a potential UTI. I just had to lower my trousers and underpants, not even to the knees whilst he briefly inspected my genitalia before making his diagnosis.

How do you diagnose a UTI by doing that?

That's the LEAST necessary thing to do.

Thanks SS..Yeah..well the Doctors are the experts so we trust that they know what they are doing. It was a very brief exam. He did palpate my balls and examine my penis briefly. He swabbed around the glans and urethral opening...but did not insert the swab into the urethra itself. I also provided an urine sample. Anyway, all was well because whatever it was (NSU I guess) cleared up a few days sfter starting a precautionary course of antibiotics. No problems ( that I know of!!) since.

He did palpate my balls and examine my penis briefly. He swabbed around the glans and urethral opening...but did not insert the swab into the urethra itself. I also provided an urine sample.

I'm just guessing, but for a UTI or any other kind of infection in that area, wouldn't the doctor examine the penis looking for any discharge?

Recent physicals I hardly take off anything. But growing up as a kid in the 70s and a teenager in the 80s, a physical was nearly always in just underpants or sometimes entirely naked. I had a few back then where I was given hospital type shorts to wear.

He swabbed around the glans and urethral opening...but did not insert the swab into the urethra itself. I also provided an urine sample.

I'm just guessing, but for a UTI or any other kind of infection in that area, wouldn't the doctor examine the penis looking for any discharge?

The urine test tells all, well, 99%.

UTI's don't usually have a discharge.

Rather than asking about continuing problems or other issues, the proper interview would consist of a review of symptoms - discharge, burning on urination, pain, sexual function and pain or discoloration of ejaculate, etc... You don't assume the patient knows what's right or not and what's important or not,

REALLY!!!

This can only be a fantasy exam and not a real one. Undressing for exam has a purpose and that is to enable the health personnel perform a thorough exam without missing any important detail which could help in arriving at a right diagnosis

@kzy, just trying to teach you folks to think outside the box........ers

For my yearly physical I wear my boxer briefs under a totally useless paper gown.

Since I go to the urologist for prostate exams my female internist never has me remove my underwear.

When I go to the dermatologist, also female, all is off but my underwear. When she is finished examining my body she has me lie on the table. The she asked nicely if she can pull down my underwear and examines my genitals. After I roll over, she examines my butt. Sort of erotic how she pulls my underwear down The highlight of the visit.

With my primary care physicians, it has varied. Pediatrician had me down to underwear. In my adult life, I've had doctors who have had me in a paper gown for the bulk of the exam, doctors who have me just take off my shirt, and a doctor who did the exam with me in underwear. I've seen a urologist a few times--and he had me in a paper gown, no underwear. Dermatologists usually have me dress down to my underwear, which I temporarily drop for a portion of the exam.

I regularly pay a visit to the dermatologist to check my moles. Most doctors are women there. I usually undress to my boxers. I usually sport an erection, but they just ignore it.

I hope some day to be told to strip naked.

I just went to a new doctor and was given a complete physical exam without undressing at all. When I laid down he raised my t-shirt for the abdominal exam. I then sat up and he raised the back of my shirt up to check my spine. I then stood up and lowered my pants and underwear when he told me he was going to do a hernia and prostate exam.

However, two things to note: This was my initial visit to this doctor, so I'm not sure if I'll get the same exam next year. It's possible he only does genital or prostate exams every 2-3 years (I hope not!). Second, I'm not entirely sure if leaving clothes on and lowering them when necessary is standard procedure with this doctor. When the nurse finished with the preliminaries she asked if I was there for a physical. I answered that I'm not sure. I wasn't sure if they did initial appointments as physical exams, just a meet & greet, or what exactly. So she made the comment, "I'll just leave you in those clothes then. Besides, nobody wants to meet the doctor while they're naked". I don't assume she meant actually sitting there naked, but I did get the feeling that for later physical exams I might be asked to undress at least somewhat (take off shirt, down to underwear, put on a gown, etc.). I must admit though that her comment sure did add a spark of excitement to that whole experience!

That sounds like a "meet and greet" first appointment with a new doc. I had one of those years ago where I made an appointment with a new internist for a physical. He came in and interviewed me briefly about my health, checked my heart, and said something like "see you in a year." Didn't undress at all. Not even my shirt off. So I wondered whether he was lazy or what but I went back to see him a year later. The routine was totally different. He interviewed me first and then told me to change into gown but leave my underpants on. He is still the only doctor that I have had who did the "gown and underpants" routine. Anyway, this second appointment was a full physical, including dropping my underpants for the hernia and rectal exams. Maybe you will get a regular exam next time. If not, find another doctor.

I'm sorry davidwest, I must have phrased my post incorrectly. Although I kept my clothes on for the entire exam, I also received the most thorough and complete exam of my life. Even though I didn't actually remove any articles of clothing, my shirt was lifted up completely in front and back and my pants and underwear were lowered to my knees for my doctor to examine me. Including genital and rectal exams.

For my last annual exam in Dec, I had the best surprise in having a very old school nurse prepare me for the doctor. At the end of taking my vitals, she brought out a gown and asked me to completely disrobe. I was shocked. When he entered, my doctor (a new PCP for me) was a bit amused by the nurse's decision, even mentioning that he'd have to talk to her about that for the future, though he didn't ask me to put my clothes on again. I sat there with my entire backside exposed while he asked me about 25 minutes worth of questions. The whole experience was pretty exhilarating.

Interesting posts. In two days time, I have my annual review. As I've said before, it's usually an old fashioned exam. Everything off and everything checked. It's well over a year since I went. Overdue. So, will be interesting to see if it's more covered up or less thorough. As a patient, I prefer for everything to be seen and checked. But not everyone feels that. And what a younger doctor's comfortable with counts too. Will report back!

At the end of taking my vitals, she brought out a gown and asked me to completely disrobe. I was shocked.

You see, this is what I just don't understand. You were asked to completely disrobe, but were given a gown to wear. What's so shocking about that? You do realize that even 15 or 20 years ago, that was the norm. And 20 or 30 years ago, you would more likely be asked to disrobe completely but NOT be given the gown.

Have we all become a bunch or overly-modest wimps?

At my most recent physical a few days ago it was strip as you go (or we went?). It was fun.