Suspicious Prostate Exams

Has anyone else received suspicious prostate exams? My wife has insisted that I go to her doctor (a man, not the woman I have been going to for years). I went in to see him about 6 months ago for a sinus infection, and one of the first things he does is give me a prostate exam. Really? We (my wife and I) went in for our physicals a few days ago. He listens to me breathing (I'm still fully clothed) for maybe 30 seconds and then has me drop my pants for a thorough genital exam and a prostate check, and that's it for the physical.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate someone who wants to be sure that that little bugger down there isn't swelling up or anything, but this guy appears to be way too anxious to get his fingers up there... I mean probably at least 50% of the time spent in my physical was either with him fiddling with my testicles or feeling the inside of my butt and asking me when I last had a colonoscopy (about 2 years ago).

My wife said that he barely checked her at all. He just looked at her charts and saw that everything was taken care of and told her she was good to go.

Just wondered if I'm being paranoid or if others think this is kind of strange?

I don't normally take this stance, but it sounds more than a little strange to have a prostate exam when your chief complaint is a sinus infection and you recently had a physical.

I think he just wanted to stick his fingers up your ass.

Sounds like he has the hots for you!

I often have the impression that Americans are obsessed with anal matters, far far more than I have ever experienced here in Europe. Prostate exams, colonoscopies seem to be routine matters and are expected to be performed regularly, common swearwords and idioms are more than likely to refer to anal matters (someone is an xxxhole, people don't give a rat'sxxx, you'll be torn a new xxxhole, you can kiss your xxx goodbye etc ...) and then there is the not uncommon idea that experiencing a (medical) anal insertion of any kind is somehow contagious and will infect men with the 'disease' of homosexuality - or perhaps 'convert' them (the charitable explanation).

I cannot help but often look on in wonder and try and understand where this obsession comes from. Fear of an encroaching loss of male dominance which comes from changing social and economic roles in society? Religious concerns?

In any case, it does not really surprise me to read this. The American branch of my family also seems to share this idea, certainly when it comes to medical matters. Even from just overhearing their communications and their everyday concerns, it seems that for them no medical check-up is complete without a prostate exam for the men. Whatever else ails them, as long as they've had that anal exam and all is well there, they can apparently sleep in peace.

Maybe the doctor above is also of the same opinion?

Addressing humblepatient, did you fill out forms prior to your first physical which might have flagged his attention. I've gone for a physical (reason a) with an issue (reason b) and both were addressed since I didn't make the appointment just for reason b, in your case, the sinus issue. Since your first appointment was for one thing, I can only wonder about the paperwork. Or be concerned about the doctor, something which can be researched online.

For agracier, there's history. All those years of enemas solving everything in the past. Research which sometimes ends up as recommendations which are then hard to change, such as prostate cancer and how/when to diagnose it. PSA? Digital? Apart from this, the recent article on bloomberg citing instances of older, bigger boys sodomizing younger, smaller boys, often with adults being aware or tacitly approving it, supports your comment that some American men have fixations.

Sounds fishy to me. Until I got the VA to assign me a permanent PCP who was NOT a resident, I rarely was given DRE's unless I specifically had a complaint about the region, (and sometimes not even them.) even when I was there for a physical and have a history of prostititis and epididymitis.

My new PCP is a NP, and she gives me a thorough exam. I see her every six month, she explained her routine. Every other visit will be just a check-up, and the other exams will include the "works." Perhaps it is because I'm now 50, but I have found that NPs are usually more thorough than many MDs, especially residents.

I'm curious, are you submissive to your wife (no judgement)? If not, choose a doctor that you're comfortable with.

I don't give a flying fcuk if you are submissive to your wife. It's your life and your health. Screw the wife.

Find a doctor YOU like. Your wife doesn't even begin to enter the picture in picking your physician if you don't want her input.

In all fairness, I think I am naturally submissive (It is my personality, and the basis for my screen name) and she is naturally dominant (over anyone). However, my temper is every bit as evil as hers, and I think to say that she dominates me might be jumping to conclusions...

The irony is that he is supposed to be a VERY good doctor (excellent ratings - has won several awards, etc).