Author: Editorial team of Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej · Medical consultation: lek. Sara Godyńska, proctologist · Publication: 12/05/2025 · Update: 16/06/2026
Proctological examination does not hurt in most cases, although it may cause short-term pressure or slight discomfort. The doctor carries out the examination gently, explains the subsequent stages and adapts the scope of the examination to the patient's symptoms and tolerance. More severe pain may occur primarily when there is acute inflammation, a fissure, an abscess or a blood clot around the anus.
Check what a proctology consultation looks like →
| Does the examination hurt? | usually no; short discomfort or pressure possible |
| Examination time | usually a few minutes |
| Scope | conversation, assessment of the anal area and possible per rectal examination |
| Additional examination | if indicated anoscopy |
| Patient comfort | the examination can be limited or interrupted if severe pain occurs |
The examination does not begin immediately with an assessment of the anal area. First, the doctor conducts an interview during which he asks about, among other things, the type of symptoms, their duration, bleeding, pain, bowel habits, medications taken and previous treatment.
A detailed description of the symptoms often allows the doctor to initially determine the possible cause of the problem. It is also worth mentioning about constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, pregnancy and childbirth, intestinal diseases and cases of colon cancer in the family.
The doctor assesses the skin and tissues around the anus. Already at this stage, you can sometimes notice, among other things, swelling, a blood clot, a skin fold, a fissure, inflammation or a fistula opening. The examination is short and respects the patient's privacy.
Rectal examination involves gently inserting a gloved finger into the anal canal. It allows you to assess the tension of the sphincters, pain, the presence of some changes and the lower part of the rectum. It usually lasts several dozen seconds.
If finger examination alone is not enough, your doctor may suggest anoscopy. This is a short examination that allows you to see the inside of the anal canal and the lower part of the rectum. Thanks to it, you can more accurately assess, among other things, the source of bleeding.
In most patients, digital rectal examination does not cause pain. It may feel like pressure, stretching or temporary discomfort. The doctor performs them slowly and adapts the examination method to the patient's reaction.
It is worth telling before starting the examination that you experience severe anxiety, have a low pain threshold or have previously had a painful examination. Such information helps the doctor select the appropriate pace and scope of diagnostics.
Most often, the fear of the unknown is greater than the pain itself. After the visit, many patients admit that the examination was shorter and less unpleasant than they had previously expected.
More pain may occur when there is an active, irritated or inflamed lesion around the anus. This applies especially to problems such as:
In such a situation, the doctor may limit the examination, postpone part of it, or start by treating pain and inflammation. It is not always necessary to perform a complete examination during the first visit.
Anoscopy is usually not painful, but may cause a feeling of pressure or pressure. The examination usually takes a few minutes. In case of severe pain, a sharp fissure or extensive inflammation, the doctor may refrain from performing the procedure immediately or adjust the scope of the diagnostics.
Anoscopy is not performed automatically for every patient. The doctor decides about its need based on the symptoms and the results of the previous stages of the examination.
Yes. The patient may say at any time that he or she feels pain, needs a break or does not want to continue a given stage of the examination. The doctor should explain the purpose of the diagnosis and obtain the patient's consent before carrying out the diagnosis.
Openly communicating your feelings does not make the visit difficult. On the contrary, it allows the examination to be performed more safely and with greater respect for the patient's comfort.
The examination of the anus area and the digital rectal examination usually take only a few minutes. If anoscopy is needed, the entire diagnosis may take slightly longer. Most of the consultation usually takes up a conversation, discussion of symptoms and explanation of further action.
Postponing consultations may prolong the symptoms and make it difficult to determine their cause. Bleeding, pain, itching or a lump near the anus does not always mean hemorrhoids. Similar symptoms can occur with many different diseases.
Early proctological consultation in Gdańsk allows you to establish the diagnosis and plan appropriate treatment. The examination itself is usually much shorter than the time during which the patient is previously afraid of the visit.
Yes. The patient can ask for a break or end the examination at any time, especially if severe pain or increasing anxiety occurs. The doctor may then change the method of examination, limit its scope or plan further diagnostics after the symptoms have alleviated.
Yes. Information about anxiety allows the doctor to explain subsequent stages more precisely, perform the examination slower and constantly monitor the patient's comfort. Fear of the examination is common and is not a reason for shame or negative assessment by medical staff.
Not always. In case of very severe pain, abscess, sharp fissure or severe inflammation, the doctor may limit the first examination to the necessary minimum. The rest of the diagnosis can be performed later, after the pain has decreased or appropriate treatment has been initiated.
Yes. After a standard proctological examination, the patient can usually immediately return to work, driving and daily duties. Restrictions may only be needed if an additional procedure was performed during the visit or the doctor provided individual recommendations.
Fear of pain should not delay diagnosis.
Schedule a consultation onlineThe information is of a general nature and does not replace a medical consultation. The scope of the examination and further diagnostics is determined individually by the doctor based on the patient's symptoms and condition.