My boys had female pediatricians many times. The exam is just part of the exam. Testicles are no different than ears to a doctor. Explain it like that, OP. It really is about ten seconds, assuming everything is ok. Sometime we have to do things that make us uncomfortable. I’m not a fan of mammograms, but I get one yearly.

Step out of the room during the physical examination. It’s more comfortable for your son and it gives him time to ask the doctor questions he might not be comfortable asking you.

Anonymous wrote:Tell your daughter it’s a lot less invasive than what she goes through or will go through at the gynecologist when they do a Pap smear up her vagina and to cut out the teasing. Saying it like that should hopefully stop it, or at least would for my kids.

As for your son, if it’s not the doctor and the exam, I’d say it’s 10 sec to make sure he’s healthy and you will wait outside if he prefers. Tell him his feelings are normal and no one enjoys that part.

100% this

Anonymous wrote:I’m amazed at the number of parents just saying their kid should skip a preventative medical exam because he’s uncomfortable. Now is exactly the time to get used to the fact that preventative care is important, quick, and work a few seconds of embarrassment.

This for sure. Let's not teach our boys (or girls) that it's fine to skip parts of the exam if they are uncomfortable. Let's instead try to help them manage their discomfort so they learn to get the care they need. While the stakes may be low for most at this time, it's good practice for when it matters more.

Anonymous wrote:DH. He’s probably worried about an involuntary erection. Hearing that it’s normal may help a little bit, but not entirely. And switching to a male will probably not change it, and could actually make the embarrassment worse.

Just FYI.

Agree.

Anonymous wrote:As a female pediatrician, it’s rare that a male or female teen refuses the genital exam. Once the parent is out of the room for the exam, I explain exactly what I’m doing and why. If someone is uncomfortable, I totally respect that (and just document that in the chart). No big deal.

Is embarrassment/erections common?

DH. He’s probably worried about an involuntary erection. Hearing that it’s normal may help a little bit, but not entirely. And switching to a male will probably not change it, and could actually make the embarrassment worse.

Just FYI.

Great time for a lot of teaching. Your daughter needs to be reprimanded immediately. Teasing for anything medical is not okay.

For your son this isn't going to be the last time he will be in this situation. No, it's not comfortable, I don't love when I have to see the male Gyno in my practice but I suck it up. It's more important to ensure he's healthy than his comfort level for the few seconds it'll take.

As a female pediatrician, it’s rare that a male or female teen refuses the genital exam. Once the parent is out of the room for the exam, I explain exactly what I’m doing and why. If someone is uncomfortable, I totally respect that (and just document that in the chart). No big deal.

Beat her young ass.

Anonymous wrote:I am confused. Hasn’t he been going to the doctors every year and they check down there? I mean, I have three boys and across their various ages, they are checked down there. It should be natural that the doctor does it. Why all of a sudden?

I think it's just that twelve or thirteen is usually the age where modesty kicks in for boys.

I am confused. Hasn’t he been going to the doctors every year and they check down there? I mean, I have three boys and across their various ages, they are checked down there. It should be natural that the doctor does it. Why all of a sudden?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the physical required?

I know my child’s school requires a physical and lets us know it “expires” after 12 months and we need to get a new one!

Of this is the case I can totally understand not cancelling.

Yes, it is required.

most of the physical is required but the genital check is not, your son is free to opt out of it.

I cannot skip a males testicular / hernia exam if he wants to be cleared to play sports. Of course he can opt out, and I’ll note in his chart that parent/ patient refused a portion of the exam, I’ll document that I educated them on the screenings they were opting out of (testicular health and hernia check) and decline to clear the child for sports, because my license depends on it.

i agree with you on this but the OP made no mention of playing sports.

You’re right, she didn’t. I was more responding to the PP who said you can just opt out. You can always opt out of anything health related , I’ll just document it carefully. If no clearance is needed then that would be it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the physical required?

I know my child’s school requires a physical and lets us know it “expires” after 12 months and we need to get a new one!

Of this is the case I can totally understand not cancelling.

Yes, it is required.

most of the physical is required but the genital check is not, your son is free to opt out of it.

I cannot skip a males testicular / hernia exam if he wants to be cleared to play sports. Of course he can opt out, and I’ll note in his chart that parent/ patient refused a portion of the exam, I’ll document that I educated them on the screenings they were opting out of (testicular health and hernia check) and decline to clear the child for sports, because my license depends on it.

i agree with you on this but the OP made no mention of playing sports.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the physical required?

I know my child’s school requires a physical and lets us know it “expires” after 12 months and we need to get a new one!

Of this is the case I can totally understand not cancelling.

Yes, it is required.

most of the physical is required but the genital check is not, your son is free to opt out of it.

I cannot skip a males testicular / hernia exam if he wants to be cleared to play sports. Of course he can opt out, and I’ll note in his chart that parent/ patient refused a portion of the exam, I’ll document that I educated them on the screenings they were opting out of (testicular health and hernia check) and decline to clear the child for sports, because my license depends on it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the physical required?

I know my child’s school requires a physical and lets us know it “expires” after 12 months and we need to get a new one!

Of this is the case I can totally understand not cancelling.

Yes, it is required.

most of the physical is required but the genital check is not, your son is free to opt out of it.