We know this is a bit of a difficult and embarrassing topic to talk about. But today we are talking about a test that is very important for your health . You may have felt a little scared and uncomfortable when your doctor told you to do this test. That is normal. But once you know exactly what it is, why it is done, and how it is done, your fear will disappear.
What is a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)?
Simply put, a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) is when a doctor puts on a gloved hand, applies a lubricant, and inserts a finger through your anus to examine the lower part of your rectum. In men, this can also be used to examine the prostate gland.
Think of it this way, just like a doctor might feel your abdomen to get an idea of your organs like your liver and intestines, this is also an important test to learn about your internal organs. It can be part of an annual physical exam for men, and it can be done as part of a gynecological exam for women.
Why do we need to do this kind of test?
This is a very important tool used to diagnose various medical conditions. If you have certain symptoms, your doctor may suggest this test.
Let's see from the table below what symptoms this test is important for.
| Your symptoms | Conditions that the doctor may suspect |
|---|---|
| Bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool. | Conditions such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or rectal/colon cancer. |
| Changes in bowel habits (e.g. constipation, diarrhea, pencil-thin stools). | A blockage in the rectum, such as a tumor, may be suspected. |
| Blood, pus, or other discharge with urine. | A prostate infection or other urinary system problem. |
| Incontinence. | To check for neurological disorders or any weakness in the muscles around the anus. |
Why is this especially important for men?
This test is especially important for men because it can examine the prostate gland. This gland is located very close to the anus. Therefore, during the DRE test, the doctor can feel this gland.
- Size of the gland: You can see if the prostate gland is swollen or enlarged.
- Surface appearance: You can check the surface of the gland for any unusual lumps or hard areas.
- Infection: If you have a prostate infection, you may feel pain during the exam. Sometimes, your doctor may massage the gland, collect a sample of the fluid from it, and test the urine sample to determine the cause of the infection.
Importantly, the DRE is no longer recommended as a screening tool for prostate cancer. However, when used in conjunction with a blood test called PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) , it can be very helpful in getting a good idea of the health of the prostate.
Is there any preparation before the test?
The best news is that you don't need to do any special preparation for this test. You don't need to restrict your diet or do anything else.
But, there's definitely something you need to tell the doctor.
If you have hemorrhoids or anal fissures, it is very important to tell your doctor before the test so that he or she can perform the test very carefully and with minimal pain.
What happens during the test? Will I feel any discomfort?
This is a place that many people are afraid of. But the whole test actually only takes a few minutes . The doctor will explain everything to you first.
You will be asked to remove your clothing below the waist, and given a cloth or gown to cover your body.
- For men: The doctor will ask you to lie in one of two positions. Either lean forward with your weight on the examining table, or lie down on the side of the table with your knees pulled up to your chest. The doctor will first examine the anus from the outside to check for any hemorrhoids or fissures. Then, after asking you to relax and take a deep breath, he will very gently insert a lubricated finger into your anus.
- For women: This is often done at the same time as a pelvic exam. You will be asked to lie on your back on an examination table with your legs in stirrups. Then, a finger will be inserted very gently and examined.
How is the pain?
To be honest, this is not a painful test. But you may feel some discomfort , like pressure. That's normal. Some people feel like they need to urinate at this time. That's also very normal, don't worry about it.
What happens after the test? Are there any risks?
As soon as the test is over, you can get dressed and go about your business as usual. No rest is required.
This is a very safe test, but there are a few things that can happen very rarely.
- Discomfort: The discomfort felt during the test will disappear completely after a while.
- Minor bleeding: A small amount of blood may come out of your anus, especially if you have hemorrhoids or fissures. This usually stops on its own. However , if the bleeding is heavy and persistent, be sure to tell your doctor .
- Infection: The chance of this happening is very, very low because doctors always use clean gloves and lubricants.
How long does it take to know the results?
Another good thing about this is that you don't have to wait days for the results. As soon as the test is done, the doctor can tell you what the results are based on what he or she feels.
- Results are normal: This means that the doctor did not detect anything unusual.
- Abnormal results: This means that something is suspicious. For example, there may be an unusual lump, swelling of the prostate, pain, or blood. If this happens, your doctor will talk to you about what to do next, perhaps whether you need to have another test, such as a colonoscopy .
We know that even thinking about such a test can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. But your doctor has probably done thousands of tests like this. It's very common for him. So there's no reason to be embarrassed. If the doctor says he needs to do this test, he's thinking about your health. How much is it worth if you can diagnose a serious disease early, even if it's just a few minutes of discomfort?
Take-Home Message
- A digital rectal examination (DRE) is nothing to be afraid of. It is a very important medical test that takes just a few minutes.
- This is usually not painful, but you may feel a little discomfort. It will go away after a while.
- If you have conditions such as hemorrhoids or anal fissures, it is imperative that you tell your doctor before the test.
- You can know the results of the test immediately, so there is no need to worry.
- Don't skip a test recommended by a doctor because of embarrassment or discomfort. Your health is worth much more.
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