# Is a prostate check a normal part of the physical exam for a pilot's license **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 31, 2012, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-prostate-check-a-normal-part-of-the-physical-exam-for-a-pilots-license/639387 "2012-10-31T01:55:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Curtispsf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a5b964/32.png) [@Curtispsf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Curtispsf)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-prostate-check-a-normal-part-of-the-physical-exam-for-a-pilots-license/639387/1 "2012-10-31T01:55:53Z")
This is a real question. I began taking flying lessons at 17 and recently at 18 I had to get a physical from a designated FAA physician for a student pilot’s license. Much to my surprise, the last thing the doctor did was ask me to kneel on all fours while I was still naked on the examining table. He then proceeded to put on a glove, apply lubricant and did what he called a prostate exam (which felt to me more like a prostate massage). Even more surprising was that I ejaculated.:eek: He then said everything was working and mumbled something about flying by the seat of your pants, and told me to get dressed. I passed the exam. My question from anybody who knows the answer, especially pilots, is : Is this standard procedure and just a normal part of a physical for an FAA license. I laughed when it was over and didn’t get worked up about it at all, but considering what happened I thought the least he could have done was buy me dinner and take me to a movie.😃 Seriously, was this SOP for an FAA physical? I’m wondering if I should feel cheap and used (and/or make another appointment)? \< Just kidding.I couldn’t resist going there. I’m fine with whatever the answer is but it just seems weird for an 18 year old to have a prostate exam without any real medical need. Should I ask for a gift?🆒 LOL. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-prostate-check-a-normal-part-of-the-physical-exam-for-a-pilots-license/639387/2 "2012-10-31T02:01:43Z")
Have never had a medical from the FAA, however I’ve had at least 20 aviation medical exams from CASA and the NZ CAA and none of them included a prostate exam. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-prostate-check-a-normal-part-of-the-physical-exam-for-a-pilots-license/639387/3 "2012-10-31T02:05:43Z")
Is it normal for men to ejaculate during prostate exams? I’ve never heard of this before. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-prostate-check-a-normal-part-of-the-physical-exam-for-a-pilots-license/639387/4 "2012-10-31T02:10:19Z")
Man, I sure hope this isn’t how ‘Boeing’ got their name. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-prostate-check-a-normal-part-of-the-physical-exam-for-a-pilots-license/639387/5 "2012-10-31T02:18:42Z")
yeah, thats how its done - in PRISON! (ftr - given the poster join date and a couple of other details - this is not a ‘real’ question) ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-prostate-check-a-normal-part-of-the-physical-exam-for-a-pilots-license/639387/6 "2012-10-31T02:24:47Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > Is it normal for men to ejaculate during prostate exams? I’ve never heard of this before. > **[Prostate massage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostate_massage)** > > Prostate massage is the massage or stimulation of the male prostate gland for medical purposes or sexual stimulation. > The prostate takes part in the sexual response cycle and is essential for the production of semen. Due to its proximity to the anterior rectal wall, it can be stimulated from the anterior wall of the rectum or externally via the perineum. > Prostate massage is part of the digital rectal examination (DRE) routinely given to men by urologists to look for nodules of prostate cancer... Apparently not uncommon. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-prostate-check-a-normal-part-of-the-physical-exam-for-a-pilots-license/639387/7 "2012-10-31T02:41:43Z")
doctors do these as a free extra if it looks like the patient would enjoy it. you had the look. it’s also how they get their insurance to buy them a better watch. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-prostate-check-a-normal-part-of-the-physical-exam-for-a-pilots-license/639387/8 "2012-10-31T02:52:57Z")
I got my FAA third class medical certificate in 2008 at age 21 and this was not part of the exam. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-prostate-check-a-normal-part-of-the-physical-exam-for-a-pilots-license/639387/9 "2012-10-31T02:55:12Z")
If the OP is for real, you were sexually assaulted. No, it’s not routine at your age. And that’s not how it’s done. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-prostate-check-a-normal-part-of-the-physical-exam-for-a-pilots-license/639387/10 "2012-10-31T02:59:28Z")
OH fuck. Should have checked the join date. Stupid stupid me. Double fuck. The OP starts out with “This is a real question” I’m not at the top of my game today. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-prostate-check-a-normal-part-of-the-physical-exam-for-a-pilots-license/639387/11 "2012-10-31T04:04:56Z")
Closed.