Please help

[maxmad]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello. I'm trying to deal with an issue that some of you may have dealt with. I chose this forum because you're becoming MD's and are probably close to my age. The problem's this: every time I've gone for a physical for sports or whatever, I have this very obvious physical reaction when the shorts come down and the 'frank and beans' portion of the exam ensues (ends with 'tion'; starts with 'erec'...) and it's so mortifying to me that I can't make myself go for a yearly exam. I just graduated, got a job and am about to get hooked up with health insurance and I'm dreading the physical. What the #$%@ is wrong with me???? Should I be posting in the psychiatric forum?? JEEZ.

 

[ericdamiansean]

You've to ask yourself why

a) Is it because it's psychological ie. you're not used to it?
b) COld weather?

If it's such a problem during physicals, perhaps you can take some medication for it.

And maybe it's a good idea if you had a male doctor do it, instead of a female

 

[Jaded Soul]

You've to ask yourself why

a) Is it because it's psychological ie. you're not used to it?
b) COld weather?

If it's such a problem during physicals, perhaps you can take some medication for it.

And maybe it's a good idea if you had a male doctor do it, instead of a female

😱 He's supposed to take medication because he has an erection during a physical exam??? You don't think that's excessive??

It's a normal physiologic response that happens to people. I've done my share of GU exams and every once in a while a patient gets and erection. Big deal. The key is to remain professional about, not blame the patient, and explain to them that it is not abnormal.

To the OP: If the doc is any good, s/he will do the same and give you time to recover. You're probably at the right age to be at risk for testicular cancer and it's important to have that part of the exam done when you get a physical.

 

[MedicationWorks]

Just see a female doc and then everything will seem normal. Maybe she will take it as a compliment.

 

[ericdamiansean]

😱 He's supposed to take medication because he has an erection during a physical exam??? You don't think that's excessive??

It's a normal physiologic response that happens to people. I've done my share of GU exams and every once in a while a patient gets and erection. Big deal. The key is to remain professional about, not blame the patient, and explain to them that it is not abnormal.

To the OP: If the doc is any good, s/he will do the same and give you time to recover. You're probably at the right age to be at risk for testicular cancer and it's important to have that part of the exam done when you get a physical.

the OP is not comfortable with having an erection during the PE,thus, I think he needs some help. So, either he takes some medication before the PE which prevents him from getting the erection, thus making the whole PE experience comfortable for him, or he gets the erection during the PE and he asks the doctor what's wrong with him, which the OP may not be comfortable with

 

[ddmo]

1) It's just a physical and doctors really have seen it all, I promise you are not the first one. Trust me, it won't be something they would even remember.

2) I would bet you are getting an erection because you focus on it before hand. It seems like whenever you concentrate on not wanting an erection, sure enough, there it goes.

 

[BklynWill]

take care of things before-hand. maybe that will help.

oh and no pun intended, of course.

 

[captbadass]

i dont know how many times i have gotten a hard on while in the waiting room waiting for a physical. my secret is to think about bea arthur from the golden girls until your little soldier is no longer at attention. its all about the frame of mind. good luck at your physical.

capt

 

[InductionAgent]

From a psychiatric/psychological point of view, I would think that taking medication before the exam would have some merit.

Propranolol would seem to be an ideal agent, as it would treat the acute anxiety that is likely associated with the exam, as well as having impotence as a notorious side effect.

However, propranolol would also tend to skew the results of the exam by decreasing heart rate and blood pressure, and dampening deep tendon reflexes.

In summary, I can't think of any medication that would safely and reliably reduce the likelihood of maxmad developing an erection without having a substantial impact on the physical exam.

 

[maxmad]

Propranolol...does it have another name? Sounds prescription-worthy to me..."Hello, doc? hey dude I need some propranolol so I don't throw a rod while you're feeling me up..." Would a doctor think that taking drugs for this would be rational???

 

[ColoMD]

For crying out loud people...drugs are not the answer. The whole situation is really no big deal as it is certainly not unique to the OP. It actually happens all the time with physicals as a result of the anticipation/anxiety of the exam.

And prescribing drugs solely for the hopeful side-effects is ludicrous. Following that logic, docs will start prescribing anti-depressants to men for the side-effect of priapism to get around insurance not paying for Viagara.

 

[ericdamiansean]

i dont know how many times i have gotten a hard on while in the waiting room waiting for a physical. my secret is to think about bea arthur from the golden girls until your little soldier is no longer at attention. its all about the frame of mind. good luck at your physical.

capt

try thinking of your grandma 👍

 

[InductionAgent]

And prescribing drugs solely for the hopeful side-effects is ludicrous. Following that logic, docs will start prescribing anti-depressants to men for the side-effect of priapism to get around insurance not paying for Viagara.

As if drugs haven't been used for side effects on a frequent basis.

Funny you should mention Viagra! Its erectile enhancement is a side-effect; it was originally being developed as a hypotensive agent.

What about Benadryl being used for its sedative properties?

Topamax is now indicated as a weight-loss agent because of that side effect.

The list goes on. Furthermore, propranolol is indicated as a prophylactic anxiolytic for a specific stressful situation. You stated that yourself that the anxiety of the exam is likely the cause for Maxmad's erection. And anyway, if you read my whole statement, I conclude that propranolol (Inderal) is not a great option anyway, because it would interfere with the results of the physical exam.