Question 1

what does the doctor do at 18 for a prostate exam?

Accepted Answer

Prostate exam: We do not typically do prostate examinations on an 18 year old.  Typically we check this at age 40 for hispanic and african americans, and at 50 for caucasians and asians, mainly due to the increased risk at these age groups for prostate cancer.

Question 2

i am nervous about getting my prostate exam. how long do doctors have to fiddle around inside my butt? will i be put to sleep or awake?

Accepted Answer

No worries: If you can let a dentist fiddle around in your mouth to do a dental cleaning, you can let a proctologist fiddle around inside your butt to check out your prostate. They are merely two ends of the same gastrointestinal tract. Don't bite a dentist when he's cleaning your teeth, and don't squeeze your butt when a proctologist is sizing your prostate. Let him take the time he needs to do his job well.

Question 3

what is average age for prostate exam? just had physical with new doctor. she said 50 years old. i'm 43, my old doctor was doing them even in my 30s

Accepted Answer

Prostate Exam: That is bizarre and unusual and inappropriate. A male under 50 does not need a prostate exam without a specific medical reason for such an exam. Your new doctor is right.

Question 4

how can i ease my anxiety about a female doctor doing a prostate exam?

Accepted Answer

It's a Job: Remember that it is a job for that doctor. She has probably done hundreds or thousands of these exams. There is nothing arousing in this situation for the doctor. She is just doing her job in trying to make sure you don't have signs of prostate cancer.

Question 5

can i ask for another physician besides a woman to do my prostate exam?

Accepted Answer

Depends: First, you should have no reservations about a female doing your exam.  If you are just too timid or bashful for a female to do your exam, see how she feels about it.  A frank and open discussion should be had.  If a male professional is available, perhaps this is not an issue to ask for.  Otherwise, you need to plan ahead to find a place where only males provide this care.  Ask and be open.

Question 6

i hear doctors have to stick their fingers up the butt hole to perform the prostate exam. that is scary to think about. do they go all the way up butt?

Accepted Answer

Prostate exam: The prostate is approximately 2-4 inches from the anus. This is why it can be examined during a digital rectal exam.

Question 7

i get an erection every 20 minutes, seen my doctor they said nothing was wrong and my girlfriend gave me a prostate exam using latex gloves (felt good?

Accepted Answer

Teens and Sex: First, this time will pass. It can be frustrating to have an erection all of the time and all boys have to deal with this period in some ways.

Yes, the prostate is full of nerve endings and many men learn to enjoy some massage of this during their sexual play.  Many girls learn that this is a special secret to please their men and enhance their orgasm.  This is normal, and common.

Question 8

does a prostate exam hurt? im in my 40s, so i think my doctor might want to do a prostate exam at my next checkup. im afraid its going to hurt. is there any way i can make it hurt less?

Accepted Answer

Thanks : Thanks for your question.

Many patients have anxiety before their first prostate exam.  Typically, prostate exams are uncomfortable but not painful.  You will experience pressure and may feel the urge to defecate (move your bowels).  If you already have inflammation or irritation in the anal area or a very small anal opening, you may experience some pain.  I have been a practicing family physician since 1999, and would say approximately 5-10% of my patients experience any pain on examination.

You can help make it less uncomfortable by relaxing your buttocks as much as possible.  "clenching" tends to make the examination more difficult and can tighten the muscle around the anal opening.

Since prostate cancer screening typically starts at age 50 at this time (unless you have risk factors for prostate cancer or other symptoms) many 40 year old men don't need a rectal exam.

I hope this helps.  Let your doctor know if you have any concerns.

Question 9

my primary doctor is not a urologist. will he be the one to do my prostate exam?

Accepted Answer

Prostate exam: Your primary doc can do one or he/she can refer you to a urologist, especially if you have other symptoms.  Peace and good health.

Question 10

can a doctor determine the difference in cancer and prostitis by a prostate exam?

Accepted Answer

No: Most early stage prostate cancer has no symptoms what so ever.  This includes a normal prostate exam most of the time.  Prostatitis on the other hand, results in a tender prostate and a characteristic consistency of the gland on digital rectal exm.

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Doctor answers about:

What does the doctor do at 18 for a prostate exam

A member asked:

What does the doctor do at 18 for a prostate exam?

A member asked:

I am nervous about getting my prostate exam. how long do doctors have to fiddle around inside my butt? will i be put to sleep or awake?

A member asked:

What is average age for prostate exam? just had physical with new doctor. she said 50 years old. i'm 43, my old doctor was doing them even in my 30s

A member asked:

How can i ease my anxiety about a female doctor doing a prostate exam?

A member asked:

Can i ask for another physician besides a woman to do my prostate exam?

A member asked:

I hear doctors have to stick their fingers up the butt hole to perform the prostate exam. that is scary to think about. do they go all the way up butt?

A member asked:

I get an erection every 20 minutes, seen my doctor they said nothing was wrong and my girlfriend gave me a prostate exam using latex gloves (felt good?

A member asked:

Does a prostate exam hurt? im in my 40s, so i think my doctor might want to do a prostate exam at my next checkup. im afraid its going to hurt. is there any way i can make it hurt less?

A member asked:

My primary doctor is not a urologist. will he be the one to do my prostate exam?

A member asked:

Can a doctor determine the difference in cancer and prostitis by a prostate exam?

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