Patient's question:
Recently, I've been experiencing frequent urination and urgency, and I can't seem to empty my bladder completely. I suspect I might have prostatitis, so I'm considering whether to go to the hospital for a thorough check-up and get some medication. I'd like to ask what tests are included in a routine prostate examination? Is blood draw required, or can it just be a urine test? What precautions should I take before the examination, such as abstaining from sexual activity for the previous day or not eating breakfast on the day of the test?Doctor's answer:
Generally speaking, there are no special recommendations for a thorough examination of the prostate. It is usually mainly performed with a color Doppler ultrasound of the prostate and a detailed examination of prostatic fluid. For the prostatic fluid examination, it is generally considered appropriate to avoid sexual activity for 2 to 3 days beforehand. The examination of prostatic fluid is a somewhat invasive procedure, and it typically requires massaging the prostate to collect the fluid.