Sleepless79, that's a very interesting story! What kind of scope did she use on you? Sounds painful.

It seems like it's 50-50 in terms of a GYN performing a rectal exam. The only time I've had a GP do a genital/rectal was for a pre-employment physical. When I was younger, the pediatrician usually did a visual check, but since I've been an adult, most docs seem to defer the "between the legs" stuff to GYNs. I guess if your regular doctor did your annual exam, too, it would be different. This may just be my experience since I do see a GYN regularly.

That would be so embarrassing, unexpected! I'd want to make sure I was really clean at least.

So for women, are rectal exams the exclusive domain of OBGYN exams, or does the PCP do them as well? And how much of a genital exam do you get from your PCP?

ive never had one standing up. only with my feet in the stirrups

My current GYN doesn't do rectal or recto-vaginal exams, but all of my previous GYNs have done them at the end of the pelvic exam while still in stirrups. I had one done in the ER in the sims position (on my side) and one done for a pre-employment physical with my knees drawn up to my chest.

The most embarassing one I had, by far, was when a gastroenterologist I worked for offered to check me out when I was having some stomach problems. After an abdominal exam, she had me lower my pants and panties down to my knees and get into a sims position for a rectal, and after that, she said she was having a hard time seeing if I had any fissures and needed me to slide my pants off completely and bring my knees up to my chest so she could see my perineum. After THAT, she had me get up on all fours so she could insert a scope for a quick look.

Like Mashie, I see my GP for all of my annual exam procedures. I can't say that I've ever had a rectal done while standing and bent over. While in the lithotomy position in the stirrups, she always does a recto-vaginal, and a standalone rectal exam on me. On a few occasions I have been placed in the knee-chest position for a more in depth (no pun intended) rectal exam.

BigK, unless was just gaped prior to the exam, it would be highly unlikly that anyone would be able to tell that they have had anal intercourse

At the GYN mine are done while spread in the stirrups, but I've been to a proctologist before that did it with me laying on my side and one leg bent slightly. Would LOVE to have it done bent over the table though :)

The first time, no, i didn't know. Mom took me to her OLD gynie, and he did a very thorough exam while Mom was in the room. He just said ok, almost done, i felt his finger slide back in, and then in the rectum. I was sooo shocked and embaressed. Its bad enough being in the stirrups, i cant imagine bending like a guy!

My OBG always says "and now I'm going to examine your rectum" and I feel the cool wetness of all that KY jelly and his (omg, thick) middle finger opening my brown bud.

I've only had one before. It came as a surprise. No warning. Just a finger making its presence known and then she announced "ok... now I'm going to do your rectal".

Many of us guys hear about what happens, and we're expecting it, at some point.

Most of the girls know about the stirrups and the invasiveness.

However, my question is;

Had anyone told you about the final part of the pelvic, where they do the rectal?

And, if not, what was your initial reaction?

I was going to say....don't they usually do it while you're still in the stirrups?

I recently had knee surgery and do not have full range of motion in my knee. The doctors assistant had to hold my knee back while he was examing me since I could not move the knee myself. He had a nurse hold the other leg so that they were "even"ly pulled back. it was so embarrassing having all those professionals standing over me...

Usually the rectal exam is done while in the stirrups with one finger in my rectum and one in my vagina. A couple of times I have had them while bent over the table with my legs spread wide. It was very similar to what LadyM described. All I can say is it was very thorough!

Once in the stirrups, once laying on my side.

My first rectal exam, at about age 18, as described in another thread, was a little unusual. I was lying on my back on the exam table completely naked. I did not know what was coming next when the doctor had me pull my legs up and elevate my hips, supported by my hands and elbows, in the "bicycling" position. If you can picture the position. He then inserted his finger, more or less downward, into my rectum. I do not remember that the exam was particularly protracted but it was much more thorough than just a quick in-and-out.

The many rectal exams since then have all been feet apart and bending over the table.

Three quarters turned on one side. Nothing special that but I had to admire the nurse when I was in hospital once. I had to have a regular insertion of a pessary. She duly arrived and I began to climb on the bed as instructed when quick as a flash she inserted it before I had got more than one knee on the bed. A real anal insertion expert I would say!

Thanks.. nice image bent over the table like that as well.. I assume you still had the gown on?

I've had them done laying on my side and in the stirrups on my back.

I had a straight rectal exam once and they rolled me onto my side. I did have a rectal exam in college where the male doctor asked me to bend over onto the exam table. My legs were on the floor and he wanted them really wide and he had me drop my chest down onto the exam table, all the way down to my elbows. He had his finger in me full tilt!

I've also had one during a gyn appt. where they have inserted a finger into my vagina and another into my rectum and that is always done lying on your back.

Although probably fun to think about, it's hard to imagine your wife being asked to get up on all fours!

What are the various positions used for rectal exams? I have often fantasized about my wife on all fours on the table, but I doubt if there is any basis for this in reality.

Thanks for all the info and support xx

They would only be able to infer anal sex practices if they saw signs of trauma or anal dilatation. Unfortunately, if the latter is evident, fecal incontinence is often a problem. A health care professional would certainly not be judgmental.

Beth - Whilst I am not medically qualified, I think you will find its very doubtful that a doctor will be able to tell if you do have regular anal sex or not, unless you divulge such to them.

They aren't there to judge people, so don't worry about that

... My question is, can a Dr tell if you have regular anal sex whilst doing a rectal exam?

probably not beth1965 - especiailly if you say 'Ouch!' at the appropriate time!

Well I am now 47, so I guess I'm due for this next time a checkup is required...

My question is, can a Dr tell if you have regular anal sex whilst doing a rectal exam?

I have never had to bend over a table. Usually she just puts a finger in there while i'm in the stirrups.

my wife had an rectal exam once after the ces.birth,she had gas releasing problem,so internal medical doctor made a rectal exam,he first inserted his finger than small hosepipe for to made her release,another time when she had ovarian x ray,the doctors inserted a pipe to inject something.thi was painfull exam.in both she was bending on her knees

I have always had my rectal done on my back while I was in the stirrups