Rectal Exams

Was wondering if after you've had an anal fissure how diffcult a rectal exam was for you? Meaning we're they painful and make you sore afterward.

I remember my OB/GYN doing the occult rectal test and then being very sore for a few days afterwards because of the irritation.

and also even after your fissure has healed and your diet has improved along with keeping BM's soft does your rectum still feel the uncomfortable spot where the fissure original was with the digital rectal exam?

Hi Barbie and welcome to the board!

In most cases, a rectal exam with an active fissure is going to be painful, but it would differ from person to person and a lot would have to do with the doctor who is performing the exam.
Most people with an active fissure will not only be extremely sensitive at the site of the fissure, but their rectum will be very tight, which will make things worse, pain wise.

When the CRS did the exam on me it was pretty rough, this was pre-surgical. But he used the scope. I dreaded going back post surgical, but fortunately he didn't use that anuscope thingy that time, and since I healed so well after the surgery, I never went back for the third visit.

For your second question, if your fissure has *really* healed (after a few months or more) then a digital exam probably should not be a problem and you shouldn't be sensitive at the site during the exam. I would *guess* that if it is a freshly healed fissure it could still be somewhat sensitive.

But all of this is speculation on my part, hopefully others will reply and give you their experiences, because it can vary widely!

Barbie,

I just wanted to say welcome. After my fissure was healed, I didn't feel any soreness at the fissure site, and I wouldn't let anyone examine me with an active fissure, but that is just me. I was very protective of my butt.

my crs never went in if he could see the fissure from just spreading the cheeks a bit. he was the first to say it wouldn't be him to cause more damage!

Mine also, Happy!!