A digital rectal examination (DRE) is a physical examination of the rectum and the area inside the pelvis.
During the examination, a health professional places their finger (‘digit’) into a person’s anus (opening in the backside) and the rectum (the passage through which faeces [stools] are passed out of the body).
What are DREs used for?
DREs are used to check the health of a man’s prostate gland. The prostate gland is a small gland, just below the bladder. It is part of the male sexual organs. Conditions that affect this gland, such as prostate cancer, can cause it to harden, and this can be detected during a DRE.
DREs are also used to help assess the state of a woman’s ovaries, uterus and pelvis. The DRE may be combined with a check of the vagina.
DREs may be used to help diagnose conditions that affect the rectum and bowels, such as haemorrhoids (swollen blood vessels in or around the lower rectum and anus) or bowel incontinence (the uncontrolled passing of stools).
Continue to next section: When a rectal examination is needed