State of dress or undress for male physical exam

I had my annual check this week. I wondered if the increasing tendency some members find for doctors to leave patients covered up would apply to me.

Not to worry. It was the last appointment of the day so very relaxed. Nurse isn't normally included in my exams and she'd already gone home.

There were lots of questions. It goes on a long time the 'history-taking' because I talk too much. Diabetic for over 41 years and talk too long about my health.

Then 'Well, I've nearly got everything ready so I'll finish that. Can you take everything off. Let's do the usual.' So, doctor went next door and took a couple of minutes to sort out the trolley he moved in whilst I got naked. It was the same as every year. Very friendly and business-like with conversation ranging from medical to general. Just that I am naked and getting into the needed positions.

It was sit on couch for auscultation, neuro checks, head and neck and spine. Then onto the scales. I stayed standing whilst he measured my waste and we chatted about BMI etc. Then on my back for palpitation, legs, joints, insulin injection sites and feet. Finally for that bit of the exam genital exam. Then he asked me to stand up to check a hernia. Back on the couch for sims and rectal exam. (Bloods were when I first lay down.)

I prefer this exam naked. Feel I get my money's worth with everything looked at. And I'm on Zity so I look forward to it!

I don't have my exams completely naked like you describe Williamus, but I don't have a gown either, I'm just in my boxers right from the start when I'm asked to strip down before getting weighed. I then stay in my boxers all the way through until the genital check when I'm asked to take them off.

My last "real"physical exam was done with a gown on and underwear on under the gown. Never had to take them off unfortunately.

I know I have mentioned this before, but I know I am not alone, visit for an annual in the US, no undressing, weighed fully clothed in the hallway, including phone wallet anything else on your person, stethed over my shirt, no removal of shirt, pants or anything else. All over in 5 to 8 minutes. To the comments re an examination for a UTI, when I had a UTI, I read up on the symptoms, made an appointment, I provided a urine sample. My Dr. she agreed it was a UTI, prescribed a prescription, gone in 3 days.

Boxer shorts, exam gown and socks. The floor was cold in the exam room.

I’m going in for an annual physical with a new doctor (female) tomorrow. I’m really curious how this will go.

This is my first primary care appointment in this health system- same one I see a Dermatologist in. See my previous post about what happened there for details, but I had been seen there a number of times in gown + boxers, but this year was directed to be gown-only.

Very curious to see what happens in primary care here. Any guesses?

Normally I strip down to my briefs (means I have to wear some that day) and my doc does everything she needs until its time for a hernia and prostate exam, then they come either down or off.

@JimmyJohnson maybe there was supposed to be a decimal in there somewhere

I’m going in for an annual physical with a new doctor (female) tomorrow. I’m really curious how this will go..... Any guesses?

@KylePine you'll get a gown and likely be told you can keep your undergarment on. So like if you'd rather be nude under the gown, don't wear an undergarment, or just be nude under the gown and say you didn't wear one. Simple as that

At my most recent exams, a couple times the nurse has led me to the exam room, then told me to undressed and put on a gown, and to take everything off because the doctor will need to check me all over. At my annual physical, last week, the nurse left me with the gown and said to get undressed, but didn't specify how much to take off, so I took everything off and just wore the gown.

At my current doc's office, i'm instructed to strip to my underwear and provided a gown. not wanting to appear too obvious, I choose to put the gown on after getting down to my undies (although the thought of just leaving it off and waiting in my underwear does get my pulse racing).

I do miss a former doc, who would have me fully dressed at the start of the exam while he reviewed my history. he would then instruct me to "strip down" (he was former military). and by "strip down", he meant all the way down. I left my underwear and sox on the first time I had an exam with him, and he let me know quickly (and bluntly) that he meant for me to be naked. now that got my pulse racing.

Lol!

That was a huge let down. No mention of a gown and was seen in my clothes to whole time. The doctor (she was young and attractive) listened to my heart and lungs through my t-shirt. I was told to lie down on the table and my shirt was lifted-up to allow my abdomen to be palpated.

After that, I was told I could get down from the exam table. I figured testicle and hernia check was coming next but NOPE. It was over. It was a little awkward because as I’m sitting there she said: “is there anything else I can do for you?” It was almost like she was opening the door for me to request a testicle/hernia check, but I figured “why is this on me to request it?” So I didn’t. Got labs drawn and went home.

Times have sure changed.

Growing up I was always examined nude. went a pediatric group practice up through fifth grade. had both a female and male pediatrician. always asked to undress completely. switched a semi-retired pediatrician from sixth grade until going away to college. his office was in his house. asked to strip completely also. seemed the norm for pediatricians growing up.

With my current PCP, I take everything off and put on a paper gown. With my former one, I took off everything except my boxer briefs for the exam and there was no gown. I simply lowered the boxer briefs for the DRE.

I am stripped down to my boxers for most of the exam and they come down for the genital/prostate exam.

For my exams, usually the nurse will instruct me to undress down to my underwear. A gown is offered but it is not mandatory to wear.

Depends on the doc. I saw two different docs who didn’t ask me to remove anything. I was pretty shocked by this but I guess it is normal these days.

At my most recent exam with another new doc, I was asked to strip to boxers and put on a gown. He ended up just exposing my chest for about 10 seconds. That was it.

I guess it just comes from being in your 30’s, but docs pretty much do nothing during these exams.

Same experience as @Tbe. Varies between docs. But if they want to get “personal” it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. They will see whatever part of you they feel necessary. Fully dressed, boxers or gown.

With the exception of last years physical, my doctor has had a nurse take vitals and go over any medication or problems I may be having. The nurse then hands me a paper drape before exiting the exam room and directed me to remove all my clothing except my underwear. My doctor would then perform the physical up to the point of the genital and rectal exam. She then tells me she is going to bring in the nurse and that I need to remove my underwear and sit back on the exam table with the drape. Last year the nurse directed me to remove all my clothing as she handed me the drape and was leaving to get my doctor to begin the exam.

@Bailey43-How do you feel about having the chaperone present to witness the intimate portions of the exam? Embarrassed? Excited? Indifferent? Personally, I hate having a third person present for any reason during a visit with a doctor. I find it intrusive, embarrassing, and erosive on the doctor/patient relationship. It seems more intrusive when the physician is male, the patient is male, and the chaperone is female.

Having a chaperone does not bother me at all as this particular doctor I have seen for the past 10 or so years. My doctor has me stand and hold the drape open to the front while she is on a stool in front of me as she exams my genitals while the chaperone is behind me. I then am asked to lean over the exam table with the drape open to the back exposed to both the doctor and chaperone. The first year or two I believe I was slightly embarrassed having a chaperone but now I do not mind at all.HHMRN

The "normal" in real exams is to just lower your pants and underwear for the hernia check. I find very few doctors are interested in actually performing a traditional exam. Traditional as in "naked" or wearing a gown. For rectal issues I have been told to lower my pants while laying on the table on my side. So there is no actual disrobing. It's different in play exams. Then, I would be undressed from the waist down, wearing only a short white tee-shirt. Very embarrassing.

These days, I am going to a small clinic with two older, traditional doctors. The same doctor, in his 60s, has examined me both times.

I make it clear that one reason I am there is to watch out for prostate cancer (true -- I need to, for family-history reasons). I have told this to the nurse both times once we are alone in the exam room.

The first time, she instructed me to undress to my briefs and gave me a gown, but did not tell me to put it on. So I did not put it on. I draped it on my lap, to pretend I had at least some modesty, but once the doctor came in I just put it to the side.

So that exam was done with me just in my briefs. The doctor had me lie back and asked me to push down my underwear to briefly examine my penis and testicles, but not terribly thoroughly. Then, while my briefs were still lowered, he had me turn on my side so he could check my prostate. After that, I brought my briefs up and we continued to chat.

The second time, the nurse made it clear that all my clothes were to come off, briefs included. She gave me a gown and directed me to make sure the opening was in the back. I did as instructed, taking off my shoes, shirt, pants, socks, and underwear in that order. Then I had a seat on the exam table.

Unfortunately, the doctor listened to my heart without lowering my gown. (I had an older doctor lower my gown to my waist several years ago. I was naked underneath and that was very hot.) He listened to my lungs by touching my bare back through the gown though.

Then it came time to lie back. I made sure I was not laying on the gown. He raised the gown and pushed it up my chest to examine my penis and testicles and to check me for a hernia. Then, with the gown still in that position he had my roll to my side and he put his finger inside me.

It's always interesting to talk with the doctor immediately after he has examined my prostate. I prefer to do that while naked under the gown.

Have you ever had an erection during the exam while fully naked? What´s the medical personnel´s reaction?

I went to the dermatologist this week. There were four female postgrade students examining my moles (it´s an universitary hospital) and I was in boxers. I was hoping to be asked to remove them, too, but I was unlucky.

Then the professor, a female doctor, told me I could get dressed from the waist up, which I answered I´ll do it at the end of the exam. She looked a bit scared. I think they perceive I´m too comfortable with my state of undress.

My current doctor has me completely naked but wearing an exam gown. Actually, the exam gown is lowered to my waist for most of the exam. I stand and completely remove the gown for the genital and prostate exams.

Past doctors ... 90% of the time I have been instructed to strip down to my underwear. When I have been underwear clad only, I completely remove my briefs/boxers for the below the waist examination.

@charlie59horse > When I have been underwear clad only, I completely remove my briefs/boxers for the below the waist examination.

Are you asked to remove them?

@jblasphemy17 ... on almost every occasion, I have been asked to remove my underwear completely. If asked to simply lower my underwear, I always remove them completely anyway. By removing my underwear it allows for easier positioning for the rectal exam.

Most of my rectal exams have been performed with me leaning over an exam table. During one particular exam, I was completely naked and then instructed to assume the sims position on the exam table. That was a very hot experience!

My last physical which was about 2 years ago, they asked me to strip down to my underwear (I wore tighty whities that day) and I had the option of putting on a paper gown or not. I put the gown on but didn't like it so I just went without.

I'm due to have another physical in December too...

My doctor has me wear a gown, but I a man naked underneath.

I am asked to completely undress and wear a gown for my dermatology exam, and my well male exam, but I refuse and choose to be nude. The docs will see it all eventually, so why cover up. Never been a problem.