Test Overview A digital (finger) rectal examination is done to check for problems with organs or other structures in the pelvis and lower belly. During the examination, the doctor gently puts a lubricated, gloved finger of one hand into the rectum
A digital rectal exam prostate gland ovaries
Why It Is Done
A digital rectal exam (DRE)
Check for growths in or enlargement of the prostate gland Check for problems in the reproductive organs Help find the cause of symptoms such as rectal bleeding (blood in the stool), belly or pelvic pain, a change in urination, or a change in bowel habits. Check for hemorrhoids colorectal cancer sigmoidoscopy How To Prepare
In general, there is nothing you need to do to prepare for a digital rectal exam. If you have hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or rectal pain, tell your doctor before the exam begins. Your exam may be postponed.
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How It Is Done
For a digital rectal exam, you will take off your clothes below the waist. You will be given a gown to wear.
You might stand during the exam, bending forward at the waist and resting your forearms on the exam table. Or you might lie on your left side with your knees bent and pulled up toward your chest. Sometimes the exam is done at the same time as a vaginal exam. In this case, you may be lying on your back with your feet supported by footrests for the rectal exam. Your doctor gently puts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum. The doctor may use the other hand to press on the lower belly or pelvic area to feel for tenderness or problems, such as enlargement, hardness, or growths.
How It Feels
You may feel some discomfort during a digital rectal exam (DRE).
Your doctor must press firmly on the internal organs to feel for problems. This pressure may make you feel the need to urinate. The examination may be painful if there are some problems with the organs.
People with hemorrhoids, breaks in the skin around the anus anal fissures
Risks
There is very little chance of having a problem from this test.
Results
Digital rectal exam Normal:
No problems such as organ enlargements or growths are felt.
Abnormal:
Problems such as organ enlargements or growths are felt.
The prostate gland may be enlarged. This may mean benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) prostatitis
Growths such as tumours of the cervix ovaries
Growths such as hemorrhoids abscesses anal fissures
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Current as of: October 19, 2023
