I'm wondering if my annual physical exam with my doctor was as complete as it should have been.
They went through the usual stuff: weight, blood pressure, hearing test, vision test, urine sample, weight check, questionaire, etc. I had to get undressed and put the gown on. He listened to my heart, lungs, checked my throat, etc.
Those parts I'm fine with. But when it came time for the genital exam, he never does anything but check for a hernia. "Turn your head and cough". That's the extent of the genital exam. He didn't examine for lumps, etc.
I know that most doctors don't do the digital rectal exam until a man is 50 or older, unless you have a history of colon/rectal cancer in your family. But, if you read or view videos on what goes on during a normal physical, the doctor is supposed to examine your penis for lumps, he examines the scrotum, the urethra, shaft, etc. Usually, you lie down and he examines your genitals pretty thoroughly....or so I thought. That portion of the exam lasted about 5 seconds.
I can see him not doing the rectal exam, since I'm 41, and I don't I have a family history of colon/rectal cancer.
I do self exam in the shower from time to time, but what if I miss something? I would think that the testicular exam would be something that most doctors do automatically---similar to what a woman goes through at the gynecologist when she has a breast exam.
I even had to request blood work to check for cholesterol, etc. You'd think that he'd have ordered that himself.
Do all doctors do this? Maybe I should switch doctors? Maybe a man needs to see a urologist to get a good exam anymore?
With insurance companies failing to cover procedures now days, doctors or only doing what's necessary, and pushing you out the door. I started getting the prostate exam at age 40, with the psa test. The blood test, I would have to remember to ask the doctor, other wise, he would forget to schedule it. As for the routine exam, I've never had a doctor that done any more than the the usual (turn your head and cough) procedure. I'm uncircumsized, but have always wounder, since so many men are clueless about their foreskin and keeping it clean, that the doctor doesn't do a theral exam of the penis. Other than the cough that they ask you to do, they don't touch/handle your penis at all. I have a great doctor, but he's never even ask me if I had any problems with my penis/foreskin. When I started having the anal exam for prostate cancer, it was my suggestion to have it, and every year now I've made it part of my annual/yearly exam. So alot of things, they leave up to you to ask. What ever happened to customer service...
Last edited by cleansweap; 05-11-2006 at 06:36 AM.
I might switch doctors for my next physical. He even suggested that I don't come back until I'm 45 (4 years from now). I don't think I want to wait that long, you know?
I may ask for the digital rectal exam at my next physical. I guess that's the only way you get decent service anymore.
Not too long ago, I moved to a new state. I had physicals but they were very superficial as compared to my previous experiences. One guy took my medical history, looked in my eyes and ears and never even asked me to get undressed for the other necessities.
Then, I noticed that my old Dr. in the old city was covered by my insurance. I went to visit friends, made an appointment and had a proper physical -- Genital check and Digital Rectal Exam, EKG, etc...
My conclusion after the experiences I had was that it depends to a certain degree on the common practice of the physicians in the area and I am also convinced that it has to do with insurance coverage. The new Drs. I was dealing with seemed to want to take the money and run. My old Dr., if I dare to characherize the healthcare industry, was more interested in checking things out so as to cover his butt.
Keep looking until you find some one who really wants to take care of you.
Annual physical exam--not good enough? 
Re: Annual physical exam--not good enough? 
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