Why does the doctor have to insert a finger into your anus as well as your vagina when you have an internal pelvic exam? I find it uncomfortable and am worried what they will 'find' up there!
2007-05-31 22:00:09 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Women's Health
The doctor does NO such thing!! I should know.
That's a prostrate exam for men. If your dr puts his finger up your a*se kick him/her in the face and report him immediately. It's called abuse.
2007-05-31 22:02:04 · answer #1 · answered by tigerfly 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
This actually is a part of the gyn exam that not all gyns do.
"Bimanual Examination
The remaining part of the pelvic exam is the examination. The examination is performed after the speculum is removed. The provider, wearing a disposable latex glove, places two fingers into the vagina. The other hand is placed on the lower abdomen. S/he then presses down on the abdomen to feel the internal organs: the cervix and body of the uterus, the fallopian tubes, and the ovaries.
In order to feel the undersurface of the uterus and the surrounding area, it may be necessary for the examiner to place one finger into the rectum. This is usually not painful but may produce a sensation of fullness. This is the final part of the pelvic examination."
Actually, this is common practice, and nothing to fear.
2007-06-01 06:43:09 · answer #2 · answered by AV 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heavens, the posters here that say this should never take place have NO idea what they are talking about...and certainly aren't medical professionals. Here's the truth: there are several reasons why a MD would do this in an exam, but one of the most common is if you have a "tipped" uterus. Part of the exam is for the doctor to manually feel the different part of reproductive organs, to determine there are no abnormalities. If your uterus is tipped then it is difficult to do it properly with normal papation. By using a finger up your rectum the doctor is able to get a different angle to feel your uterus and ovaries. Since I have a tipped uterus, I know that a doctor is doing a GOOD exam if they use that method, because they are being more thorough. As others have suggested, ask your doctor why (s)he is doing it, as that will give you an opportunity to learn more about your individual body. (as for the poster that said this is done only for men to check the "prostrate", that person's ignorance is evident...men have "prostates" not "prostrates", and if you ever decide to kick your health care provider, I'd expect to be arrested for assault.)
2007-06-01 06:51:01 · answer #3 · answered by Pat D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A dr (and that includes a gynecologist) does not do an exam of the rectum on a young person (if there's nothing wrong or suspected to be wrong with that area that is) unless they ask for it.
They like a lot of other drs will do it on an older woman though because older women are at risk for ovarian cancer (as one example). Sometimes suspected masses can't be felt from doing the exam from the front (the traditional pelvic exam thru the vagina) as can be the case with ovarian cancer. Sometimes the only way they can be felt is thru the rectum which allows the dr to feel the back of the ovaries and uterus from a different way.
It is ok for the gynecologist to be doing a rectal exam on an older woman, or even a younger woman (if they ask if there's nothing known to be wrong or suspected to be wrong) as part of the check up when you go in for your annual.
It can be uncomfortable but if it causes actual pain that means that something is wrong and then she should let the dr know that it hurts.
But yes definitely ask your dr when you see her next time why she did it.
2007-06-01 05:49:10 · answer #4 · answered by sokokl 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For a NORMAL Gyno exam he/she would not usually be putting there finger in your anus.
But placing a finger in the anus helps then feel the back of the uterine wall. That's all.
They would not be putting fingers on the vagina and one in the anus at the same time.
If this has happened it is concerning.
Unless he/she has felt something and is pushing the uterus even closer to the bowel to feel better. But I have never heard of this being done in the last 55 years.
2007-06-01 05:10:18 · answer #5 · answered by I do care! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have never, ever encountered this, and I've been having pelvic exams for 18 years now, and have had two children along the way. I would ask your doctor for a nurse to be present when he examines you, and ask what the purpose of this is. I don't want to accuse your doctor of anything, there may be a valid reason, but it does seem a bit strange.
2007-06-01 05:04:06 · answer #6 · answered by f0xymoron 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
My doc doesn't do the anus. Next time you should ask her what she's/he's checking for. Actually she/he should tell you. I am a nursing student and we are always taught to tell the patients exactly what we are doing and why we are doing it so they can have an understanding and a feeling of comfort. Afterall it is their bodies. My doc also does this. She lets me know what and why she's doing what she's doing. Sounds like your doc is a tad unprofessional and plays by her own rules!
2007-06-01 05:07:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Gyno exams don't include a free anal check. Maybe you should report that, then find a new gynocologist.
2007-06-01 05:14:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
no gyno should go up ur anus unless u have a problem up there and they have to do that. Other than that..if ur just going for a pap or whatever...they should not do that.
2007-06-01 05:03:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
i never had to have a dr stick his finger up there but in teh vagina yeah... its to feel for abnormlaities.
2007-06-01 09:23:07 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋