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IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
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What to Expect at Your Physical Exam: For Guys
by Dr. Dan, 12.01.98
Guys should get a periodic physical exam. The exam isn't a big deal, and it's the best way to stay healthy.
The appointment usually starts with a conversation. The clinician will ask questions about your health, and you can ask about anything that's on your mind. During the exam, the clinician will check you from head to toe to make sure you're healthy. This usually involves examining your testicles and penis. Sometimes a clinician will also perform a rectal exam. These exams may be uncomfortable for you, but they're very important.
The Visual Exam
No part of the exam should be painful. The clinician will look for any sign of cancer by gently touching your testicles. These signs include hard bumps or lumps, or having one testicle significantly larger than the other. (Don't worry if your testes are a little different in size — most men's are.) For the same reason, you should occasionally check your own testes. It's best to examine your own testes when you're relaxed, like during a shower.
When the clinician asks you to "turn your head and cough," she or he is looking for a hernia. A hernia is a rupture that can form in the muscles of your abdomen. Hernias are very uncomfortable, and most people can feel when they have one. For the exam, the clinician places a finger against the top of the scrotum. When you cough, the hernia (if you have one) will press against the clinician's finger.
The Rectal Exam
Younger men don't usually receive rectal exams during a routine check up. The most common reason men need to have this exam is to make certain their prostate is not enlarged. This rarely happens in adolescents, so a rectal exam is not usually needed. If it is needed because of some other medical problem, the clinician will place some lubricant on a finger, and then insert it into your anus. You will probably feel an uncomfortable pressure, but if you can relax, it shouldn't hurt. The exam is usually over quickly.
Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmitted infections do not only affect women. You can also have an infection and not know it. And if an infection is left untreated, it can cause damage. For example, chlamydia can spread from the urethra to the testicles and cause sterility. If untreated, chlamydia infections in the testicles can cause reactive arthritis, which can lead to permanent disability.
And don't assume you're getting tested for sexually transmitted infections. You need to ask your clinician to do it. Otherwise, it probably won't happen.
The Most Important Part: Talk
The most important part of this exam is that you have an opportunity to talk about your body and your health concerns. Each year things change — your body, your lifestyle, and your attitudes. Doctors, nurse practitioners, and other clinicians are an excellent source of information. If you have concerns about your body, sex, birth control, or anything else, take the opportunity to ask. At Planned Parenthood and many other health centers, your conversations are confidential. Be sure to ask about confidentiality if you're unsure.
Make sure you know your health center's phone number, so if you ever have a problem or a question, you have a trusted professional to help you. If you need a referral to a health center in your area, call Planned Parenthood at 1-800-230-PLAN.
Updated March 2005. |
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