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Prostate examination (PSA antigen) is recommended for every man of a certain age. In men over 50, a prostate examination is recommended by a urologist as part of a routine examination. In men with problems urinating, prostate examination should be performed regardless of age.

The glandular tissue that builds the prostate produces a secretion that is a component of semen (sperm). This secretion increases sperm mobility and viability, and therefore increases the biological value of the sperm. Prostate examination is considered embarrassing among men. In fact, however, it is not much different from the gynecological examination that all women undergo.

  1. In order to examine the prostate gland, it is necessary to place the examiner’s finger (urologist) in the rectum.
  2. Before carrying out the examination, the doctor will ask the man to remove his pants and underwear, and then stand with his back to him, legs wide apart and lean slightly forward. There should be a desk or table in front of you that you can lean against while you conduct the test.
  3. The specialist will carry out a prostate examination wearing gloves coated with a lubricant, thanks to which the examination of the gland is easier and the discomfort is reduced.
  4. The man will be informed in advance that during the examination, he may feel a slight pressure in the perineum. It should loosen up – this will help you carry out the test faster and more efficiently.
  5. After the doctor puts his finger into the rectum, he will move it slightly downwards and then upwards (towards the navel).
  6. Don’t worry, the test may take several seconds. Before the doctor can thoroughly examine the prostate gland, he or she may have to wait a few moments for the external anal sphincter to relax.
  1. After examining the prostate gland, your doctor will inform you that he will remove the finger from the rectum in a moment. When this happens, you can ask for lignin to remove any remaining lubricant from the perineum.
  2. The doctor, moving his finger within the rectum, carefully examines the lobes of the prostate gland. The shape of the prostate resembles an inverted cone with a smooth, elastic surface, approx. 2,5 cm (height), 4 cm (width) and 3 cm (thickness) and weighs approx. 20 g.
  3. When examining the prostate, the doctor checks the gland for any hardening, lumps, or other changes. If any abnormalities are detected, he or she may order an ultrasound examination or a gland biopsy.

In case of problems with the prostate and prophylactically use Willownica with magnesium for the prostate and urinary system, available in the form of capsules.

It is not necessary to prepare in advance for a prostate examination.

The prostate and PSA test takes about five minutes. It is painless, but you may feel slight discomfort during it. Try to relax, take a few deep breaths if necessary. If that doesn’t help, try to think of something else. In this case, keeping the mind busy with everyday affairs can prove very useful.

There were no side effects associated with prostate and PSA testing.

The total PSA test is the second screening test alongside prostate testing to detect asymptomatic prostate cancer. If, during the examination, the doctor notices any suspicious changes, or when PSA levels are elevated, it may be necessary to perform a more detailed imaging test (ultrasound) or take a sample of an organ (biopsy).

At Medonet Market you can buy a Home Prostate Test for the detection of PSA in the blood.

If the physical examination is normal and the total PSA level is slightly elevated, a specialist may order a test to determine the ratio of the marker free fraction to the total PSA concentration. Thanks to it, it is possible to distinguish between prostate cancer and other conditions that increase the level of total PSA. At Medonet Market you can buy research packages, in which, among others, PSA levels are tested to help diagnose prostate problems. Do the tests as part of preventive blood tests for men or an oncology package for men.

For the yearly PSA test along with palpation of the prostate gland should be presented to every man over 50 years of age or – if you are at increased risk of prostate cancer (men with a family history of prostate cancer and black people) over 40 or 45 years of age.

You can determine the level of total PSA in a special diagnostic test for men, in which you will also find other parameters – uric acid, testosterone or D-dimer (quantitatively). The indication for performing the tests is the assessment of the work of individual organs, as well as general weakness.

PSA testing and prostate palpation are recommended for men with symptoms such as:

  1. difficult and / or painful urination,
  2. passing small amounts of urine frequently,
  3. pain in the back or pelvic area.

These symptoms are due to an enlarged prostate gland, which may be cancerous. However, it should be remembered that they are also characteristic of other diseases, e.g. inflammation or benign prostatic hyperplasia. After the prostate examination and PSA level determination, the doctor may recommend a general examination and / or urine culture to diagnose a possible urinary tract infection.

Certain conditions may cause your PSA levels to rise temporarily. For this reason, re-testing within a few weeks will show whether your PSA increase is temporary or whether you should look for a chronic disease (e.g. cancer). Total PSA levels are also measured in men who have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer. A reduction in PSA is evidence of successful treatment outcomes.

Thanks to the examination, the effectiveness of the therapy is controlled.

  1. Total PSA results can be interpreted differently depending on the standards adopted by the laboratory. Usually, however, it is assumed that the correct PSA level should not exceed 4.0 ng / ml.
  2. A level above 10.0 ng / ml indicates an increased risk of prostate cancer (67% probability).
  3. PSA levels between 4.0 ng / ml and 10.0 ng / ml may suggest prostate cancer (approximately 25 percent chance), benign (non-cancerous) prostate hyperplasia or inflammation. Older men are more likely to suffer from these ailments – similarly to an increased level of total PSA.
  4. A concentration of total PSA between 4.0 ng / ml and 10.0 ng / ml is called “Gray zone”. In such a situation, it is very helpful to determine the free PSA fraction. If the level of this fraction is lowered, the risk of prostate cancer increases; if the free one is increased, it decreases. Determining the ratio of the free fraction level to the total PSA level allows you to make a decision about a possible biopsy (if there is a suspicion of a neoplastic lesion).
  1. In men who have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the measurement of PSA levels during treatment is to monitor the effectiveness of the therapy. The concentration of the marker should start to fall at the beginning of treatment. By the end of treatment, your PSA should be at a very low or even undetectable level. If PSA is not dropped over the course of therapy, the treatment may be of very low effectiveness.

Following successful treatment for prostate cancer, men should have their PSA levels tested annually to help diagnose a possible relapse.

Considering that the prostate examination of the prostate gland may increase the level of PSA, the material for PSA examination should be collected from the patient before or only the next day after the palpation examination.

Factors that can lead to a temporary increase in PSA levels:

  1. Ultrasound of the prostate gland,
  2. gland biopsy,
  3. excision of a fragment of the prostate gland – a reliable measurement of the PSA level should be determined only after approx. 6 weeks after the procedure,
  4. intensive sports, e.g. cycling,
  5. the use of high doses of certain drugs, e.g. cyclophosphamide or methotrexate,
  6. infection.

Find out more:

  1. It does not give any symptoms for a long time. What are the first symptoms of prostate cancer?
  2. Sick prostate – what are the symptoms? How to heal it?
  3. Frequent sex reduces the risk of prostate cancer

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