Internal Rectal Examination
This will involve the doctor doing what’s called a rectal examination, you will be asked to remove your underwear in privacy and lie on your side on the doctor’s couch. The doctor will ask you to lie on your side with your knees drawn up to your chest with your bottom towards the doctor. The doctor will gentle part your buttocks and look at your external anus to see if you have external hemorrhoids or any rash or skin tags. You may be asked to push gently as if you were going to have a bowel motion. The doctor will then lubricate the gloved finger which will be gently inserted into your anus. The doctor will be able to feel around inside the rectum to feel how your anal sphincter functions (which is the tight band around your anus which relaxes when you excrete your stool). The doctor will feel to check if you have internal hemorrhoids.
Occasionally your Doctor may wish to examine your rectum with a proctoscope this is a usually a disposable plastic conical shaped instrument with a rounded end which can be removed so that the doctor can see into the rectum they may have a separate light which they will place in position to help with the visibility. Once the procedure is complete they will either wipe off the excess lubricant or offer you tissues to do this yourself in privacy with the curtains around you. You will then be able to get dressed the doctor will then discuss their findings with you. This is not usually done during the procedure as you will have you mind on other thoughts.
If the doctor is completely satisfied that you have hemorrhoids they will offer you advice on how to treat them. If they feel that a surgeon should take a look and /or an endoscopy is appropriate for further investigations this will be arranged and you will be sent an appointment.
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