dear asking for a friend: i just turned 50, and my doctor mentioned that it’s time to get my prostate checked. except, well, here’s the thing. call me a chicken, but the idea of my doctor getting anywhere near ‘down there,’ is terrifying. any ideas on how i can get past my fear of gloved butt penetration?
dear fearful butt, if you dread the finger test, you’re not alone. in fact, the idea of dropping my pants to the floor, bending over and waiting for that finger gives me the shivers. that said, you do know that people with vaginas have had to drop their pants – or hike up their skirts — every year for decades to ensure the health of their woman parts. and besides, some people enjoy the feeling of something inserted into their bum…but i digress.
while a prostate exam can be awkward, it’s quick and painless. and it could save your life.
“there’s no doubt it’s an uncomfortable exam, but it’s important for your health,” says dr. sohail gandhi, a family physician and president of the ontario medical association. “try to focus on the fact that you are being proactive and taking care of your body.”
in case you are wondering what to expect when you decide to take the finger-in-butt plunge, here’s a snapshot. you will likely be asked to stand with your feet apart and bend forward, or lie on your side. your doc will insert a gloved (and lubricated!) finger inside your rectum and gently move it in a circular motion to feel the prostate. try to relax. the search is on for worrisome lumps, not your car keys. my friend george says he counts backwards to distract his sphincter from squeezing. because as you can imagine, tensing up only makes things more uncomfortable.