Is there something wrong with me??

It sounds like you had a bit of a day, but i wouldn't give yourself a hard time. If the only experience you have ever had of someone touching you down there is of the sexual nature and the whole exam was done without you really being prepared it probably confused you quite a bit. Hence you getting aroused by the experience. I wouldn't give yourself a hard time about your reaction, it doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you.

I think the reason she did such a thorough exam is because it was a quiet day and because you were 33 and had never had any kind of exam of that nature. (i am 30 and have just come back home after having the 4th cervical smear test of my life). So in a way you were probably a bit freaked out by having such a intensive examination without getting prepared.

I have never experience an anal exam myself, but i imagine she was checking your general bowel health. At least you can be reassured that you have been thoroughly checked out and next time you go for a smear test it will feel a whole lot more routine. Just make sure you get checked regularly.

I take your point but how does one 'prepare'

Julie

So would you say the experience has left you psychologically damaged?

I'm not sure if damaged is the right word. I has made me question my own sexuality. :?

well when you are called for a smear test you are notified by post of your appointment.

I was referring to preparing yourself psychologically as a test can be quite a personal one and invasive of your personal space and unless you go in with these expectations of what is about to happen I imagine it can be quite confusing.

if you are worrying about whether you are attracted to women or not because of your reaction I would suggest you sit down and have a think about it - are you usually attracted to women (you say not in your first post) so it sounds like you associate being touched in the pelvic reagion with arousal? maybe to avoid this reaction next time you should spend some time touching yourself down there in a non-sexual way? and if you do get aroused again next time (which shouldn't happen for another three years) then I would just deal with yourself again if that is what is needed and not worry about it.

hope that helps?

nb. if you are worried about the nature of the exam that took place you could always ring nhs direct and talk to them for clarification?

Hi lk,

Thank you for your help. I don't think that I am attracted to women. I know that I am fairly easily aroused, maybe that was it. I just hope that the nurse didn't notice anything!!

I don't think that there was anything improper about the exam from what I have read on the internet, apparently the finger in the bottom thing is so that they can check the tissue between the rectum and vagina as lesions can cause a very unpleasant outcome. :shock:

Thank you again for your support.

Julie

don't worry about it! it was just a physiological reaction because you were being stimulated in the right places. it means nothing! people can have sexual reactions to all sorts of things because the brain associates the action with sex, but it's your life style choices and which sex you feel a connection with that determines your sexuality. if you normally like men, then that's your sexuality!