Digital rectal exam

The provider will first look at the outside of the anus for hemorrhoids or fissures. Then your provider will put on a glove and insert a lubricated finger into the rectum. In women, this exam may be done at the same time as a pelvic exam.

For the test, your provider will ask you to: Either on your side on an examination table or lean over an examination table Try to relax Take a deep breath during the insertion of the finger into your rectum

You may feel mild discomfort during this test.

This test can be done for several reasons. It may be done: As part of a routine physical exam in both men and women (though this is no longer recommended) When you have abdominal or rectal symptoms When your provider suspects you are bleeding somewhere in your digestive tract When men are having symptoms that suggest…

A normal finding means your provider did not detect any problem during the exam. However, this test does not rule out all problems.

An abnormal result may be due to: A prostate problem, such as an enlarged prostate gland, prostate infection, or prostate cancer Bleeding anywhere in the digestive tract Cancer of the rectum or colon Small split or tear in the thin moist tissue lining of the anus (called anal fissure) An abscess, when pus collects in…

Coates WC. Anorectal procedures. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 45. Downs JM, Kulow B. Anal diseases. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's…