Okay, this woman in my office says she had to do the ol’ Turn and Cough routine (checking for hernias during a routine sports physical in junior high). I thought they only did that to men. Anyone else heard of this??
Tibs
Women can and do get hernias, so I don’t see why they don’t have to do the old “turn and cough”. I imagine that the doctor has to feel in a different place, but it’s probably not the worst thing a woman has to undergo in a physical.
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! My sincere apologies. I know that was a totally serious question but that is the funniest thing I have read all day. I finally found the perfect scam to earn my 15 minutes of fame in News of the Weird.
No. We spread 'em and cringe.
Yes, inguinal hernias can occur in both men and women. The cough is to increase abdominal pressure, so a weak spot can be felt as a bulge. Your asked to turn your head so you don’t cough in the doctor’s face.
I have heard of the phrase “turn your head and cough” but can vouch that, as a woman, I have never been asked to do so. I always assumed it had something to do with a prostate exam, though I’ve never given much thought as to what. Now I see it’s to check for a hernia, but I’m still in the dark.
So now that someone’s brought it up . . . Would someone like to take a shot at eradicating my ignorance by telling me, what, precisely the doctor is doing when you’re asked to TYH&C? No need to be too graphic, but what exactly is going on just then?
There is no turning and coughing in a prostate exam. That’s more of a “HEYYYYY!!! WHOOAAAA!!!” and then it’s over.
I suppose you could turn your head and cough during the digital exam if you like that sort of thing.
Jodi–
stand up, let the doc push his finger up into the soft cavity where your testicle tries to retreat when it’s cold outside. You’ll experience a slight discomfort, but nothing serious.
(describing in the second person so you can empathize a bit.)
Fortunately for us, no speculum, stirrups, or other strange devices involved. Now, ask me about when the woman doc checked a lump in my ball.
I’m thinking Jodi’s testicles retreated a loooooong time ago. 
The prostate exam is MUCH more fun. 
So, the obvious question is: What diagnostic method is used to test for inguinal hernias in women?
You’re the Dr.
That’s the one thing i hate about physicals…having an old lady touch my balls. Well, I guess its better than having a really hot woman doing my physical, cos then she’d know i think she’s hot
I had a really cute female doctor give me a physical at 15. I thanked my lucky stars that I did not get aroused. I haven’t had one since and avoid doctors doing embarassing things to me like the plague.
Is this what the doctor does to test for the hernia? Or rather what a woman has to do to provide acess to the appropriate areas?
Do you have ANY idea what we women have to do at a physical? Have you heard of a speculum?!
“That’s the one thing i hate about physicals…having an old lady touch my balls”
Ha. Did you know that you can ask them not to do that? Yep, any & all tests are optional. Don’t want a finger up your butt? Ask for an alternative test, like the PSA test.
For hernias on women then can do sonograms. Im sure webmd.com has tons of info on this in women.
All tests are optional, and you can refuse any of them.
It’s not always a good idea. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, dwarfing lung cancer (incidence 32% cs. 16% of cancers). Because it is so common, and has a 13% mortality rate, many people die of prostate cancer, which often has no symptoms. The PSA is not a good enough screening test to substitute for a rectal exam… as much as we HATE doing them and as much as patients hate getting them done.
" The PSA is not a good enough screening test to substitute for a rectal exam"
So, the other way around is true too (pardon the pun). Shucks, I get them both.
Well, no, I don’t know. Never had a hernia. Perhaps. But for your general edification, let me do the honors of describing a routine “annual” visit for a woman. I’m sure all you men will find it very enlightening.
First you are brought into a 50 degree room and asked to disrobe and put on a folded piece of paper that would cover Calista Flockhart but barely covers half of you. So your first order of business is to choose which side of you is in most need of being covered. After you’ve ripped the thing to shreds while trying in vain to stretch it, you finally just give up, let it cover what may, and wait. And wait. And wait. You ponder your life while looking at your stockinged toes, which are incongruous with your legs which are goose-pimply and blue from lack of heat. You notice that you missed a spot on your ankle while shaving. Anyway after about a half hour trying to look non-chalant while your ass is exposed to the world, the doc arrives with a sharp “I’m coming in now!” rap on the door.
He then engages in mundane chit-chat, “How are YOU?” "How are the kids? as if this is just another errand for you. FINALLY, he asks you to lie down and put your feet in stirrups. Then you have to scooch, scooch, scooch down so that your ass is at the edge of the examining table. Your paper gown, of course, has settled into its first home and now covers your head. Which is okay! Doc then dons a pair of rubber gloves, which he lubes, then he sticks a few fingers into our vagina while pressing down firmly on our stomach. Perphaps he is checking to see if all organs are present and accounted for…or perhaps, if he is a man, he is just trying to measure things. Presumably he is also checking for anything unusual, though this is a ruse because it would be nearly impossible for him to determine anything while, once again, engaged in mundane, obligatory chit-chat with you, “So what do you do at your new job?” "How do you like our new location? “Is it easier for you to get here?”
After the initial prodding, he calls his assistant into the room, with another signal (2 raps) to prepare for the pap smear. She comes in and tries to look business-like as she and the doc stare up your naked crotch. Did I mention the lamp? Oh yes, there’s also a lamp which is directed up at you so they can get a REALLY good view of things. Anyway, the lovely asst. holds the petri dish. That’s her job. A table apparently won’t do. Perhaps she is wondering if there are any jobs available at the King Kwik, who knows? Anyway, Doc then gets a warm speculum (it is rumored that they started warming the speculum because it was cheaper to do this than have the ceiling re-tiled after each visit), inserts it into our vagina and OPENS it about a foot (well, okay, a few inches), then inserts a long q-tip until it hits the cervix. He swabs it a bit, then places the cells into the petri dish to be sent, one hopes, to a reputable lab.
After that doc moves on to the breast exam.
Finally, he leaves. Preserving what tiny bit of dignity you have remaining you get dressed and go pay the receptionist for the privilege.
Fun, huh? Any questions?
Look.
Can someone just tell me if it is normal to any degree to have a girl turn and cough?
I mean, some people think, shrug “Why not?”
And others think it is nuts. What’s the real word on this?
I can’t wait to see my co-worker on Tuesday.
You guys crack me up - thanks for the responses.
Tibs.