An annual pelvic exam is recommended for all women and can consist of some or all of the following procedures: the external genital exam, the speculum exam, the bimanual exam, and the recto-vaginal exam. Gynecologists will sometimes perform a rectovaginal exam in addition to a normal pelvic exam. To do this, your doctor will insert a gloved, lubricated finger into the vagina and another from the same hand into the rectum. He or she will then palpate examine by feeling the abdomen with the free hand. A recto-vaginal exam allows doctors to examine and identify abnormalities in the pelvic area, most specifically those of the uterus and ovaries.
Rectal examination , commonly called a prostate exam , is an internal examination of the rectum , performed by a healthcare provider. The old adage, "If you don't put your finger in it, you might put your foot in it" rings true even though the research evidence and guidelines by every major organization of US medicine do not support it. The End of the Screening Rectal Exam. And so I say, "Document that you've had this discussion offering the pros, and cons, and alternatives to screening, and making sure that the patient is aware. Probably not. Will it protect you from being found negligent or guilty of malpractice? The patient undresses and is then placed in a position where the anus is accessible lying on the side, squatting on the examination table, bent over it, or lying down with feet in stirrups.
NCBI Bookshelf. Boston: Butterworths; A wag once remarked, with considerable truth, that a consultant is a doctor who makes a rectal examination. Rectal examination consists of visual inspection of the perianal skin, digital palpation of the rectum, and assessment of neuromuscular function of the perineum. The clinical situation and experience of the examiner will often dictate which of several methods to employ in performing the rectal examination.
Skip to Content. A digital rectal exam DRE is a test for both men and women. It allows a doctor to check the lower rectum, pelvis, and lower belly for cancer and other health problems, including:. A doctor may perform a DRE as part of a routine medical examination.