Reassurance before embarrassing GP appt

[hermioneJG]

Have to go to the GP tomorrow. Have had long standing issues in the bottom area (piles and skin tags) that i have had examined before but always with female doctors. This time it’s a male as that was all that’s available. I’ve booked it because i’ve had pain and itching in the area which isn’t that unusual but also just feels a bit different. I am constantly worrying if there is something else going on and even if there isn’t i need some sort of treatment to relieve symptoms.

But i’m dreading it. I feel so anxious and keep almost talking myself out of going. I know i shouldn’t cancel but i also just feel it’ll be embarrassment and probably won’t come away with any new answers or help so is it really worth it. I try to keep my logical head on and remind myself that GPs see this sort of stuff a lot but i just hope i don’t bottle it tomorrow. It isn’t like i haven’t done this before - along with childbirth and many other invasive treatments over the years. But i just feel super anxious about this. Someone talk me round 😭

Really important to get checked. They’ll likely bring a female chaperone. Alternatively go and ask if you can describe it as far as possible without being examined until female is available. Ah man, the things we go through! If you do go ahead just go with the belief you might never see them again and to him it’s no big deal really.

You've said it yourself, GPs see this stuff ALL the time. You can do this! It will be over really quickly, and I'm sure they'll put you at ease. It will be worth it for peace of mind, or, worst case scenario, action can be taken to investigate further, get treatment, etc. You've got this 💪🏻

Totally under why you’re anxious, bless you. I’m sure the GP will be lovely and as you say very experienced and it will all be fine. Do you have a friend or family member you would feel comfortable going with you?

Even if you don’t I’m sure it will be fine, literally all in a day’s work for them. Will be thinking of you and hope it goes ok.

Would it be feasible for you to take photos of that area which show the issues?

Totally get this OP. I’d always go for a female for bum and bits appointments. My relative was a lower GI surgeon and describes looking in someone’s bum as being the same as looking in someone’s ear. They do it all day every day so it’s just like looking at an arm, your eye, your leg. They see so many arses that yours, however beautiful, will not be a special arse to him. Don’t think about it - just get that reassurance.

As someone who has just been to the Dr yesterday for something similar - don't worry about it, he won't care at all

I've been (un)blessed with all sorts of stuff downstairs and honestly now I just do the usual apologies for showing you my backside at 9 in the morning and laugh it off.
Hope you get sorted.

Remember that your bum is no different to man's and it will probably only need a quick 5 second look and it will be done.

Chances are you'll never need to see that Dr. ever again.

Please go and get checked. As someone who has just been diagnosed with bowel cancer, I know how embarrassing it is to have your bum under scrutiny. But honestly, they have seen it all before, will be totally professional and you will feel much better for having taken action.

My DP is a doctor. They see body parts all the time. He always says he’s too focused on a diagnosis and treatment to care if it’s a bum, boobs etc. In the nicest possible way they don’t care - they want to make you better! Good luck

I’m an anaesthetist but even with my job have ended up seeing a lot of bottoms in my day (I do a GA colonoscopy list regularly). Trust me, we will have absolutely seen it all before. And the only thing I have ever heard when someone has awful issues is absolute sympathy for them and what they must be experiencing.

I’m glad you are going @hermioneJG, with a chaperone present it will be a very quick examination and I hope it goes as quickly and as well as possible.

How you feel is understandable but you will feel better for having been and getting things checked. As others have said, the GP will have seen it all before. I have previously seen a male GP, that called for a female chaperone before starting the examination. I hope the appointment goes ok for you.

I can completely understand your anxiety. As other people have said the examination is a process to a doctor they do this all the time. I just wanted to add that I would want a chaporone regardless of a male or female GP.

Thank you to everyone, i’ve been and it really wasn’t that bad although i found it worse having a chaperone in there, the less eyes the better really! But he reassured me and has arranged some extra tests as a precaution so im glad i went. I will treat myself to a glass of wine later for being a brave girl 😂

Thanks for the update. Enjoy your wine🍷

I had issues like this 8 years ago. I made an appointment to go to the gp but bottled it didn’t go.
fast forward 7 years and diagnosed with slow growing colon cancer which I’d had for about 10 years and it was the early symptoms. Please go to the gp x also request a FIT test

I’m so sorry to hear that. I have a fit test to do. I had one last year too (this wasn’t my first trip for this issue unfortunately) which came back clear. I hope you are recovering now. It is always worth getting checked.

I was once having my implant removed from my arm when I suddenly was overwhelmed by a vagal response and passed out unconscious.

Unfortunately in my panic in the moment of collapse I grabbed the nurse by the head and dragged her into my body, as I went unconscious my arms then locked around her rigor mortis style. I woke up breast to eye with a freaked out nurse pushed into my bosom with alarms blaring everywhere and blood streaming from my arms.

She was very nice but I was asked not to have another implant.

So it can’t be worse than that :)

Given that women generally ask for female doctors for intimate appointment, he'll be much more used to seeing men's hairy, grotty arseholes. You will have made his day.

Well done on going along.
I hope everything is OK.

Honestly it'll be fine.
I had to have a colonoscopy when I was 26 and the hands down sexiest doctor I have ever laid eyes on before or since (I am a paramedic so thats a lot) shoved a camera up my arse while I was wearing pj's with a bum flap. If I can get through that, you can get through this 🧡

Edit cos I've just seen you did it. Well done brave girl, gold star 🌟

I am crying with laughter at this. That's one to tell the grandkids.

Don't die of embarrassment.

The dr had to have a look up my fanjo whilst I was taking antibiotics that have given my the runs like water. My arse was red and chapped from all the wiping so she’d have seen that. She never said a word. It was only me that cared.

Ive just had bum surgery 3 weeks ago, and believe me I put it off for years before even going to GP. And I wish I had sooner. GP was lovely, granted waited 2 years for op, skin tag removal etc, surgeon actually asked my why do I think he has a job lol true.. bum issues is such an embarrassing issue but so many people have problems there, and my GP at initial appt told me she sees many people's bums per day and never be embarrassed 😂😂 I was mortified at the thought of even going to a GP about it but genuinely wish I hadn't waited so long. I promise you will be ok! Xx

Well done OP! You definitely deserve a glass of wine now..

A bum hole is a bum hole and the GP sees them everyday but it’s still so bloody horrible having to get your own out!