Author: Editorial team of Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej · Medical consultation: lek. Sara Godyńska, proctologist · Publication: 12/04/2025 · Update: 16/06/2026
The first visit to the proctologist begins with a conversation about the symptoms, and then - if indicated - includes an assessment of the anal area, a rectal examination and sometimes anoscopy. The consultation respects the patient's privacy, and the doctor should explain the purpose and course of each stage of the examination.
Check proctology consultation in Gdańsk →
| When to apply? | in case of bleeding, pain, itching, lump or oozing |
| First stage | conversation about symptoms and health condition |
| Possible examination | assessment of the anal area and per rectal examination |
| Additional diagnostics | if indicated anoscopy |
| Visit time | usually from a dozen to about 30 minutes |
It is worth seeing a proctologist when there are complaints about the anus, anal canal or lower part of the rectum. Don't assume that any pain, lump or bleeding is just hemorrhoids.
In particular, the following require consultation:
More information about one of the most common symptoms can be found in the article: rectal bleeding - when does it require diagnosis?
Urgent medical evaluation is required for: heavy or recurrent bleeding, rapidly increasing pain and swelling, fever, purulent discharge, weakness or deterioration of the general condition.
The scope of the consultation depends on the reported ailments. Your doctor should not perform all possible tests automatically. First, it collects information and then selects diagnostics based on the patient's symptoms and condition.
The doctor will ask primarily about the type of symptoms, their duration and situations in which they worsen. Questions may also concern the rhythm of bowel movements, constipation, diarrhea, bleeding, abdominal pain, medications taken, chronic diseases and previous procedures.
It is worth mentioning anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs, allergies, inflammatory bowel diseases and cases of colon cancer in the family.
If indicated, the doctor assesses the skin and tissues around the anus. In this way, you may notice, among others, swelling, a blood clot, a fissure, a skin fold, inflammation or the opening of a fistula.
The examination is conducted in privacy. The patient only exposes the area being examined and assumes the position recommended by the doctor, most often lying on his side.
Rectal examination involves gently inserting a gloved finger covered with gel into the anal canal. It enables, among other things, the assessment of pain, tension of sphincter muscles and the presence of some changes in the anal canal and lower part of the rectum.
The test is short. If severe pain occurs, the doctor may reduce its scope, discontinue the treatment, or postpone some diagnostic procedures until the acute symptoms are alleviated.
Anoscopy allows you to see the inside of the anal canal and the lower part of the rectum. It can be helpful, among other things, in finding the source of bleeding, assessing hemorrhoids or other lesions that are not visible when just looking at them and examining them with a finger.
Anoscopy does not have to be performed at every first visit. The decision is made by the doctor based on the symptoms and the results of the previous stages of the examination.
No special preparation or routine enema is usually required. Detailed recommendations and a list of things worth taking are described in a separate guide: how to prepare for a visit to a proctologist?
Do not stop taking anticoagulants or use laxatives on your own just for the visit, unless your doctor has previously advised you otherwise.
The examination is usually not painful, although it may cause short pressure or discomfort. Greater pain may occur with an acute anal fissure, abscess, blood clot or severe inflammation.
A full discussion of this issue can be found in the article: does proctological examination hurt?
Embarrassment before the first visit is common and understandable. For a doctor, talking about bleeding, pain, defecation or changes in the anal area is an element of everyday medical work.
At the beginning of the visit, the patient may say that he or she feels ashamed, anxious or is afraid of the examination. The doctor should then carefully explain the next steps and take into account the patient's comfort throughout the consultation.
Depending on the symptoms and the scope of the examination, the consultation may help to diagnose, among others:
Not every cause of the ailment can be definitively determined during one consultation. In some situations, additional tests are needed, such as colonoscopy, imaging or a consultation with another specialist.
After completing the examination, the doctor discusses the results and explains the most likely cause of the symptoms. Then it can:
Details of the visit organization and available diagnostics can be found on the website: proctological consultation in Gdańsk.
Not always. The doctor first conducts an interview and assesses the reported symptoms. A digital rectal examination is performed when it is needed to determine the cause of the ailment and there are no obstacles preventing it from being performed safely. The scope of diagnostics is determined individually.
No. Anoscopy is performed when its results can help identify the cause of symptoms, for example bleeding or suspected changes in the anal canal. The doctor makes a decision after a conversation, examination of the anus area and a possible rectal examination.
Yes, in many cases conservative treatment can be started immediately after the consultation. However, the procedure depends on the diagnosis, the stage of the disease and the qualifications of the doctor. Some procedures require prior preparation, tests or setting a separate date.
Yes. If the consultation and basic examination do not clearly determine the cause of the symptoms, the proctologist may recommend, among others, colonoscopy, imaging tests, laboratory tests or consultation of another specialist. The scope of further diagnostics depends on the symptoms and the results of the visit.
Do not postpone the consultation because of shame or fear of the examination.
Schedule a consultation onlineThe information is of a general nature and does not replace a medical consultation. The scope of examination and further treatment is determined individually by the doctor based on the patient's symptoms and condition.