How is a rectal exam performed?

Routine exam: Includes a rectal. Two positions: lying on side, bending over. With women it can be done as part of pelvic lying on back using fingers in vagina and rectum. A glove & lubricant are always used. The exam in men chcecks prostate as ewll as rectum, in women recto-vaginal septum. Stool on the glove is used to detect occult blood. A good exam should be thorough but not painful.