Reasons for male DRE

With the medical community moving away from DRE for prostate exams, is there any complaint/reason that a doctor would perform a DRE on a male patient? Is there any reason a male patient would be examined while in stirrups?

I just had a DRE with my new primary care doctor. She asked if I wanted to do it. I assume that some guys say no and now the procedure is to ask first vs. saying now we are going to do it to you. I have no problem in doing them- I want to know the health of my prostate in addition to doing a PSA test. Fortunately I did not have any problems.

There are lots of guys out there that are so phobic about having something put up their ass- huge amount of psychological baggage. So the doctors now are asking permission to do the exam.

Come on guys get over it. The exam might save your life.

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the diseases that has a higher incidence among those exposed to Agent Orange than it has among the general population and, therefore, can result in a partial VA disability rating. I had prostate cancer and chose a radical prostatectomy as treatment. Because I received VA benefits for this I was to have a follow up exam after 6 months.

I visited a nice, 30 something, female NP at the VA. I assumed she would ask questions pertaining to any residual effects such as incontinence, etc. We went thru all the conversation and I thought it was time to leave when she said I should drop my slacks and underwear and lean over the exam table for a DRE. I asked what in the world she expected to find since I no longer had a prostate. She said, "Nothing; but, if I do you've got a problem." She told me during the course of her career as she has done these follow-up DREs she has felt a "seed" in 2 or 3 vets. Their prostate cancer had returned with no elevation in their PSA - which should be negligible if one no longer has a prostate.

Come on guys get over it. The exam might save your life.

I couldn't agree more with this statement.

There is never a reason to examine a male in stirrups. DRE should always be done to rule out prostatic CA or occult GI bleeding. Believe me, I’m a physician.

Guys that are afraid of or upset about getting a DRE need to man up! Think about it, women have to lay on their backs, feet in stirrups, legs spread wide, while a big ol' set of duckbills is inserted and opened wide, then a bristle brush is inserted into a tiny opening and rotated around. All that before not one, but two fingers are inserted for a good probing. Then they often still get a finger up the bum for good measure and a grand finale. And they usually have this done annually from the mid to late teens on. We men usually only started getting the finger wave around 40 or so, sometimes even older. So compared to women, who also start to get an annual boob squeeze (mammogram) around 40 in addition to a full pelvic, we men have it way easier as far as physicals go. A brief finger wave to check our prostates is nothing compared to what women get. It should be automatically included in every man's physical from at least 40, and done annually.

Unfortunately, not only does it seem to be done less and less, even women are now being told they don't need an annual Pap and pelvic anymore. The annual physical as we know it is slowly going away.

I hate to tell you, but a guy in stirrups for a DRE/ Prostate exam is always done in the Sims Position or the Patient Bent Over the Exam Table. But Lithotomy position in stirrups is highly unlikely, ever. But don't give up on the fantasy. A great play exam will take care of all that

I'm pretty sure I got my recent, one and only prostate exam because when asked, I said that I got up a couple times a night to pee. I'm mid 40's.

My GP examines my prostate every year and he does it bent over the table (though his PA does it SIMS position). Regarding stirrups, this has happened only once for me. I went to urologist to diagnose painful urination. I was put in stirrups and he massaged my prostate until fluid appeared at the tip of my penis. I was then told to "strip" the shaft of my penis and hold it while he collected the fluid with a Q tip and put it on a slide.

My Dr. has told me there is no reason whatsoever for a DRE now PSA test is in, is the PSA test is an indicator another more detailed test should be done if your PSA score is high.

I've had both at times, the rationale being that DRE can pick up some things that PSA misses and PSA can pick up some things that DRE misses. In my case it was for prostatitis, and the PSA wasn't spiked too much but the DRE found it. Not sure for screening, I think that is a doctor by doctor issue. They may avoid DREs because, surprise surprise, many patients don't consider it a high point.

I also have had it done to evaluate and treat pelvic floor issues.

Umm, guys what's a PSA?

Cheers, Megan

Prostate Specific Antigen.

Made in the prostate and is primarily a component of semen. It is what causes semen to liquefy after ejaculation.

It also leaks into the bloodstream. Levels increase with the size of the prostate or because of cancer or inflammation.