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Rectal Exam With Anal Speculum
Apply warm lubricant to your index finger. As a courtesy and to prevent the patient/person from being too shocked and uncomfortable, make sure the lubricant is warmed up a little before applying some to your index finger. Even room-temperature gel can feel cool and cause the anal canal to contract, which makes the digital exam more challenging. The goal is to have the anal tissue as relaxed as possible, so inserting a finger doesn’t become uncomfortable or painful.
Get an anorectal exam if you have blood in your stool. If you notice blood in the toilet when you defecate (poop) or while you’re wiping yourself afterwards, then schedule an appointment with your doctor. If your doctor suspects you are bleeding from somewhere in your digestive tract (large intestine or colon, particularly), then they may want to perform a colonoscopy. Common reasons to see blood include hemorrhoids, small anal fissures and broken blood vessels from straining or wiping too hard.
A rectal exam is a screening test for both genders that helps to detect abnormalities in the rectum, anus, and prostate gland (men only), such as cancer, infections and various injuries. These exams should be done fairly regularly (yearly or so) as part of your health physical. Trained medical professionals are the only people who should give rectal exams since untrained individuals can injure the delicate rectal/anal tissues while probing.
To give a rectal exam, first lubricate your gloved finger with warm petroleum jelly to keep the anal canal relaxed. Then, with your patient on their side, assess their anus for abnormalities, such as hemorrhoids, warts, rashes, or fissures. When you’ve checked their anus, ask your patient to take a deep breath to relax them and prevent their sphincter contracting. Next, part their buttocks and gently insert your finger into their anal canal. Once your finger is inside, rotate it to feel for any abnormalities, like bumps, hard spots, soft spots, or fissures.
