for the doctors: how do you put your patients at ease before a rectal exam?

Question

I'm having a rectal exam later during the day as part of the annual physical exam for the employees. This will be my first time to undergo a sort of, "invasive and uncomfortable" exam since I'm only 23 and have not really indulged in any mature activity.

I'm horrified at the thought of somebody else looking at some part of my body. As a doctor, how can you assure that it is a normal procedure so I won't be ashamed of showing my body?

Answer 1

I'm not a dr but as someone who has had a lot of health issues I can tell you that normally a dr does not do a rectal exam on a young person unless they ask for it, or unless the dr suspects there's a problem if the patient talks about certain symptoms related to their bowel such as bleeding which can come from hemorrhoids as one example.

I would be asking why a rectal needs to be done as part of a physical for a job because you are right that is invasive and can be scary to someone who has never had this done before.

And then I would definitely let the dr know that you are scared about having this done. A really good dr will explain to you what they are doing as they do it so that it's not as scary.

I also know how you feel about the idea of having a rectal done because about 10 years ago a dr I went to wanted me to have a special kind of test (a bit more invasive than just the rectal exam) to try and figure out why I was having some of the problems I did. I was a few years older than you are now when I was faced with that and I didn't want anyone touching me there because I felt it was private territory. Well, now I know if I must face a new exam that could be scary to ask questions beforehand and get them to explain to me what is going on.

I hope that all works out hun and please don't hesitate to contact your primary care dr (if you have one) for further information.

Answer 2

an trouble-free well being care expert - kin well being care provider-kind - does rectal tests to palpate the prostate gland for lumps and growth. it is not a "relaxing" activity, yet is an extremely stable attempt to have on an identical foundation as a universal actual examination, and exceedingly while you're having difficulty urinating.

Answer 3

A rectal exam for a job? Are you sure you want to work there?