Digital Rectal Exam

A digital rectal exam, or DRE, is a medical test that checks for abnormalities in your rectum, anus and prostate gland. Your healthcare provider will put on gloves and apply lubricant before gently sliding their index finger into your rectum. No preparation is required. The procedure is typically fast and painless.

Overview

What is a digital rectal exam?

A digital rectal examination (DRE) is a test that examines your lower rectum and anus. It also examines the prostate gland in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). A healthcare provider will insert a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum through your anus to check for any abnormalities. A DRE may be part of a routine physical examination for men and people AMAB and part of a routine gynecological exam for women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB).

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Why would I need a digital rectal exam?

A digital rectal exam is a diagnostic tool for many different medical issues. Therefore, a healthcare provider may perform it outside of your routine health evaluation. These medical issues may include, but aren’t limited to:

Symptoms that could indicate a health concern include:

Disease of the prostate

Prostate cancer forms in your prostate gland, and your healthcare provider can sometimes feel signs of it on a DRE. Your provider will check the size of your prostate. If your prostate is enlarged, it may be a sign of infection or prostate cancer. They’ll also look for abnormal bumps or changes on your prostate. The exam can indicate whether more testing needs to be done.

If they think you may have an infection, your healthcare provider may massage your prostate to release fluid (secretions) into your urine. A lab technician can examine the secretions under a microscope to help guide your treatment.

Blood in your stool/rectal bleeding

If you discover blood in your poop, in the toilet or on toilet paper after you wipe, a DRE can be an important tool. Blood within your stool may be a sign of disease in your upper or lower intestinal tract. It will prompt further studies (such as a colonoscopy) to look for cancer, internal hemorrhoids or inflammation of your bowel wall.

Changes in bowel habits

If you have abnormal changes in your bowel habits (such as poop that’s pencil-thin, flat or difficult to pass), a provider can perform a DRE to check for a physical obstruction like a tumor.

Who performs a digital rectal exam?

Several healthcare providers may perform a DRE to help them diagnosis your condition. These providers include:

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At what age should I start getting digital rectal exams?

As a screening for prostate cancer, you should discuss when you need a DRE with your healthcare provider. Your first digital rectal exam may begin at age 50 unless you have a biological family history of prostate cancer developing earlier. Some men and people AMAB have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. They should start getting DREs at age 40. These groups include:

  • Men and people AMAB with a close relative that had prostate cancer.
  • Black men and Black people AMAB.

However, if you have symptoms, your healthcare provider may perform a DRE at any age to assess your condition.

How often should I get a digital rectal exam?

Once you’ve discussed the use of DREs with your healthcare provider, they may recommend you get a digital rectal exam as part of your annual physical examination. In addition to a DRE, your provider may also recommend prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. The PSA is a protein in your blood that can also give some information about the health of your prostate.

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Test Details

How do I prepare for a digital rectal exam?

You don’t have to do anything to prepare for a digital rectal exam. If you have any tears in your anal tissue (anal fissures) or swollen veins in your anus or rectum (hemorrhoids), be sure to alert your healthcare provider. A DRE can make these conditions worse.

Your healthcare provider will explain how the procedure works, and you’ll have a chance to ask them any questions you may have.

What should I expect during a digital rectal exam?

Your healthcare provider will perform the digital rectal exam in a private exam room at their office. You will need to undress from the waist down, and you’ll be given a gown or cloth to cover yourself. The procedure only takes a few minutes. It’s typically painless, but you may be slightly uncomfortable. Some people may feel a need to pee (urinate).

For men and people AMAB

Your healthcare provider will ask you to get in one of two positions for the DRE. They may ask you to stand and lean forward over the exam table or lie on your side on the exam table with your knees pulled up into your chest.

First, they’ll examine the outside of your anus to check for hemorrhoids or anal fissures. Once you’re ready, they’ll ask you to relax and take a deep breath. They’ll gently insert a gloved, lubricated index finger into your rectum.

Your healthcare provider will feel for your prostate gland, checking the size and the surface of the gland. If your prostate is enlarged, you may feel some discomfort or mild pain/pressure during the exam. Finally, your provider will examine the wall of your lower colon and rectum, checking for any abnormalities.

For women and people AFAB

Your healthcare provider may perform a digital rectal exam as part of your pelvic exam. They’ll ask you to lie on your back on an exam table with your feet in raised stirrups.

Once you’re ready, they’ll ask you to relax and take a deep breath. They’ll gently insert a gloved, lubricated index finger into your rectum. During this process, your provider will examine the wall of your lower colon and rectum, checking for any abnormalities.

What should I expect after a digital rectal exam?

After a digital rectal exam, you may return to normal activities immediately. Light bleeding from your rectum is rare but may occur. If you have anal fissures or hemorrhoids, bleeding is more likely. Let your healthcare provider know if you have a lot of rectal bleeding after the DRE.

Results and Follow-Up

When should I know the results of a digital rectal exam?

Your healthcare provider should be able to tell you the results of the digital rectal exam immediately.

What do the results of a digital rectal exam mean?

Normal results of a digital rectal exam mean your healthcare provider didn’t find anything abnormal during the exam. However, they may recommend additional tests to confirm the results.

An abnormal digital rectal exam may mean many different things. There may be blood present, palpable nodules, tears in your rectum, hemorrhoids or significant pain with the exam. Your provider will discuss this more with you during your visit as well as any next steps.

Additional Common Questions

Are digital rectal exams performed during colonoscopies?

Your healthcare provider may perform a digital rectal exam as a first step during a colonoscopy. However, they don’t usually perform a prostate exam during this type of DRE. They just use this type of DRE to evaluate and lubricate your anal canal in preparation for the colonoscopy. Therefore, ask your provider if they could check your prostate during the DRE for a colonoscopy. It could screen for two of the top causes of cancer at the same time.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

While the thought of a digital rectal exam may not be pleasant, the procedure is typically quick and painless. If your healthcare provider says it’s time to get a DRE, it’s important to listen to them. DREs can help with the early diagnosis of prostate cancer, other types of cancer and other conditions involving your pelvic region.

Medically Reviewed

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/26/2022.

Learn more about our editorial process.

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