A first visit to a proctologist is mainly a conversation and a brief examination that usually takes a few minutes. In most cases no special preparation is needed — normal hygiene is enough. The doctor looks at the anal area, performs a digital rectal examination and, if necessary, looks into the anal canal or rectum with a speculum or an endoscope.
Why it is not worth putting off
Many people delay the visit for months or even years, out of embarrassment or fear of pain. In fact:
- the examination takes a moment, usually less time than the conversation with the doctor,
- it takes place in a closed consulting room, with no third parties,
- the doctor explains what they are doing as they go and stops if you ask,
- most proctological complaints are benign conditions that are easier to treat at an early stage.
For a proctologist this is a routine examination. You do not need to explain or apologise for your symptoms — you are there precisely to talk about them.
Which symptoms to see a proctologist about
- blood on the toilet paper, in the bowl or on the stool,
- pain around the anus — when passing stool, when sitting, or constant,
- itching, burning, a feeling of moisture,
- a lump or something “coming out” of the anus,
- a change in bowel habit lasting several weeks: constipation, diarrhoea, pencil-thin stools,
- a feeling of incomplete emptying,
- discharge of mucus or pus, leakage of gas or stool.
Common diagnoses include haemorrhoidal disease, anal fissure, perianal thrombosis, fistula and abscess. The symptoms of different conditions overlap, so “bleeding from haemorrhoids” should always be confirmed by examination.
What the visit looks like, step by step
- History. The doctor asks about your symptoms, how long they have lasted, your bowel habit, diet, medication, chronic conditions and bowel disease in the family. It helps to recall beforehand when the complaints started and what makes them worse.
- Inspection of the anal area. Most often you lie on your left side with your knees drawn up; sometimes the doctor asks for a different position. You undress only from the waist down; your upper body stays covered.
- Digital rectal examination. Wearing a glove and using lubricating gel, the doctor inserts a finger into the anus and assesses the anal canal and the lower rectum. This takes between ten seconds and a minute or so. It may be unpleasant, but with calm breathing it is usually well tolerated.
- Anoscopy or video rectoscopy if needed — depending on your symptoms and the result of the basic examination.
- Discussion. The doctor tells you what they found, proposes treatment or further tests and answers your questions.
Digital examination, anoscopy, video rectoscopy — how they differ
- Digital rectal examination — examination with a finger. It assesses sphincter tone, tenderness, lumps and changes within reach of the finger. No equipment.
- Anoscopy — a short speculum inserted a few centimetres into the anal canal. It allows the doctor to see internal haemorrhoids, a fissure or the opening of a fistula. It takes about a minute and usually needs no preparation.
- Video rectoscopy — an endoscopic examination of the last section of the bowel with the image shown on a monitor. It reaches further than an anoscope and allows a more detailed assessment of the rectum. The doctor may recommend an enema beforehand to clear the bowel.
The doctor decides which examination is needed after taking a history and doing the basic examination. Everything is often done at a single visit.
How to prepare
For a first visit the following is usually enough:
- everyday hygiene of the anal area — no enema or special diet is required,
- a bowel movement in your natural rhythm; do not hold it in, but do not force it either,
- a list of the medication you take, including anticoagulants,
- results of previous tests if you have them (for example colonoscopy, blood count).
If the doctor plans video rectoscopy, you will be told whether and how to do an enema. Women can attend during their period — it does not interfere with the examination.
When not to wait
Contact a doctor urgently or go to an emergency department if:
- bleeding is heavy, does not stop, or is accompanied by dizziness and weakness,
- severe anal pain comes with a fever or swelling — this may be an abscess,
- you are not passing stool or gas and your abdomen is distended and painful,
- a lump has come out of the anus, cannot be pushed back and the pain is increasing,
- bleeding is accompanied by unintended weight loss or a persistent change in bowel habit.
What it looks like at Sonar Clinic
Proctology consultations at Sonar Clinic are provided by Jędrzej Wiącek, MD — a doctor in specialty training in general surgery who focuses on proctology, member of the European Society of Coloproctology. Within proctology he takes the history, performs the proctological examination and video rectoscopy, and provides conservative treatment and minor procedures, including incision of a perianal thrombosis.
According to the price list, a proctology consultation costs 330 PLN and a proctology consultation with video rectoscopy 350 PLN. Current prices are on the pricing page. You can book by phone on +48 880 018 703 or online on the doctor’s profile. Sonar Clinic, ul. Gubińska 8A, 54-434 Wrocław.
This content is for information only and does not replace a medical consultation. If symptoms are sudden or getting worse, contact a doctor or call 112.