Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Can You Check Your Own Prostate

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Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer

Symptoms of prostate cancer do not usually appear until the prostate is large enough to affect the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis .

When this happens, you may notice things like:

  • an increased need to pee
  • straining while you pee
  • a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied

These symptoms should not be ignored, but they do not mean you have prostate cancer.

It’s more likely they’re caused by something else, such as prostate enlargement.

Early Detection Saves Lives

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting Australian men .

Prostate cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the prostate gland. This gland is only found in males and is about the size of a walnut.

The causes of prostate cancer are not understood and there is currently no clear prevention strategy.

Know The Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer And How To Get Checked

One in eight men is affected by prostate cancer, so its understandable to be concerned about it. However, unlike breast cancer, where there is a national screening programme and often a tell-tale symptom such as a lump, its not so easy to check yourself for prostate cancer.

This blog will help you to understand what you can do to check for prostate cancer, the tests and exams that are used, and when and how to get them.

Firstly, there are two basic tests which, if you go to your GP, theyre likely to do if they suspect or want to rule out prostate cancer:

  • A PSA test
  • A digital rectal examination

Living With Prostate Cancer

As prostate cancer usually progresses very slowly, you can live for decades without symptoms or needing treatment.

Nevertheless, it can affect your life. As well as the possible side effects of treatment, a diagnosis of prostate cancer can understandably make you feel or .

You may find it beneficial to talk about the condition with your family, friends, a family doctor and other men with prostate cancer.

Financial support is also available if prostate cancer reduces your ability to work.

How Is Prostate Cancer Treated

26807 "Feel For Yourself" Prostate Exam Display

For many men with prostate cancer, treatment is not immediately necessary.

If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, your doctor may suggest either “watchful waiting” or “active surveillance”.

The best option depends on your age and overall health. Both options involve carefully monitoring your condition.

Some cases of prostate cancer can be cured if treated in the early stages.

Treatments include:

  • either on its own or alongside hormone therapy

Some cases are only diagnosed at a later stage, when the cancer has spread.

If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body and cannot be cured, treatment is focused on prolonging life and relieving symptoms.

All treatment options carry the risk of significant side effects, including erectile dysfunction and urinary symptoms, such as needing to use the toilet more urgently or more often.

For this reason, some men choose to delay treatment until there’s a risk the cancer might spread.

Newer treatments, such as high-intensity focused ultrasound and cryotherapy, aim to reduce these side effects.

Some hospitals may offer them as an alternative to surgery, radiotherapy or hormone therapy.

But the long-term effectiveness of these treatments is not known yet.

Who Should Get A Prostate Exam

Starting at age 50, all men should discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctor. The American Cancer Society advises men at higher risk to have this conversation at age 45.

Youre considered to have an increased risk if youre African-American or if a first-degree relative had prostate cancer before age 65. If more than one first-degree relative had prostate cancer before age 65, you might want to consider beginning prostate cancer screening even earlier.

The ACS estimates there will be about new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2016. About men will die from it.

Prostate cancer is easier to treat before it spreads. However, some prostate cancers are so slow-growing that they dont always require treatment. A lot depends on your age and other factors.

Discuss your risk factors with your doctor, and ask if you should have a prostate exam as part of your yearly checkup.

Doing A Prostate Self Exam:

With the above warning in mind, then how can you do aprostate self exam and know if you have a problem or not? The answer is not very likely.

You could insert your finger as described in my page on self prostate massage, and you may get some idea but nothing definitive. It should be soft not hard, painless to the gentle touch, and feel smooth not lumpy. Make sure you use gloves and lubrication to make insertion easier. Be gentle!

Getting a or digital rectal exam by a trained urologist will give you the information you want. Just be very hesitant if he wants then to do a biopsy as there are many risks to this procedure that he may downplay including the path to invasive action if he finds the slightest sign of cancer. Go to Prostate Biopsy Procedure to read more.

Psa Test For Prostate Cancer

The prostate gland makes a protein called prostate specific antigen . This protein helps to nourish sperm. Normally, only tiny amounts of it enter the bloodstream.

Cancer cells in the prostate interfere with proper functioning and can cause large amounts of PSA to enter the bloodstream. Therefore, when high levels of PSA are detected in the bloodstream, this may indicate cancer. 

Early prostate cancer often has no symptoms. However, high PSA levels can occur five to 10 years before the onset of prostate cancer symptoms. In such circumstances, the PSA test can help to indicate the presence of cancer at an early stage.

Other tests are needed to confirm a diagnosis because an abnormal PSA test can be due to non-cancerous causes. Equally, it is possible for a man to have a normal PSA level when cancer is present.

What Are The Prostate Cancer Symptoms I Need To Look Out For

In its early stages, prostate cancer may not show any symptoms. Symptoms of early prostate cancer can include:

  • difficulty passing urine
  • a slow, interrupted flow of urine
  • frequent passing of urine, including at night
  • incontinence.

Symptoms associated with advanced prostate cancer include:

  • blood in urine
  • pain during urination
  • lower back or pelvic pain.

These symptoms are also found in men who may have benign prostatic hyperplasia , a common, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.

If you experience these symptoms, visit your doctor.

When Is A Psa Test Needed

If you are age 50 to 74, you should discuss the PSA test with your doctor. Ask about the possible risks and benefits.

Men under 50 or over 75 rarely need a PSA test, unless they have a high risk for prostate cancer.

  • You are more likely to get prostate cancer if you have a family history of prostate cancer, especially in a close relative such as a parent or sibling.
  • Your risks are higher if your relative got prostate cancer before age 60 or died from it before age 75. These early cancers are more likely to grow faster.
  • If you have these risks, you may want to ask your doctor about getting the PSA test before age 50.

This report is for you to use when talking with your healthcare provider. It is not a substitute for medical advice and treatment. Use of this report is at your own risk.

© 2014 Consumer Reports. Developed in cooperation with the American Academy of Family Physicians.

04/2014

Whats The Difference Between Prostate And Penile Orgasm

There are several differences between orgasms of the prostate and the penis. These include:

Ejaculate

Prostatic fluid is only one part of the fluid that comes out when the penis ejaculates. The rest comes from other structures, including the seminal vesicles and the and glands. A prostate orgasm will only produce fluid from the prostate gland.

Method of Stimulation

Arousal and orgasm are complex processes that involve the nerves, brain, and hormones, in addition to sex organs. There is a lot that doctors still donât know about them. However, penile orgasm generally happens through stimulation of the penis, and prostate orgasm through the stimulation of the prostate.

Sensation

While some men do not enjoy the sensation of prostate orgasm, others prefer it. In general, prostate orgasms are thought to be more intense than penile orgasms. For one thing, penile orgasms are associated with 4-8 pelvic contractions, while prostatic massage orgasms are associated with 12.

Recovery Time

In general, prostate orgasms require a shorter refractory period, or recovery time, than penile orgasms. For that reason, prostate orgasms are sometimes associated with the possibility of multiple orgasms.

Itâs possible to have a prostate and penile orgasm at the same time or one after another, and some people find that this combination provides the most intense orgasm. However, you may lose your erection after a prostate orgasm, which can prevent or delay penile orgasm.

Can You Check Your Own Prostate

Absolutely, and you should. Here’s how: The prostate is locatedinside your anus, on “top”—think toward your abdomen, not yourscrotum. The only way to reach it is with your longest finger,which is usually your middle finger. You need to reach down betweenyour legs, up and under, and insert. This is best done in a sittingor crouching position. In the shower, wash your anus well. Crouchdown, reach between your legs from the front, up and under andinsert . One hand may reach better than theother; I prefer my left hand. On top you willfeel your prostate. It feels like a firm but not hard walnut. It’sembedded in tissue, so you can only reach the front 2/3 or so. Feelthe edges, push against it, etc. If you feel a stop harder than therest of the prostate, see a doctor. It could be prostatecancer.

You can experiment with other positions–try sitting backwardson the toilet, for example.

Good luck, it could save your life. And don’t worry abouthygeine–your hands wash easily.

What If My Test Results Are Abnormal

How Do I Know I Found My Prostate?

If the results of early detection tests like the PSA test or the digital rectal exam suggest that you might have prostate cancer, your doctor will conduct further testing. The PSA may be repeated, or you may be sent to a specialist for more tests such as a transrectal ultrasound and a prostate biopsy.

In a prostate biopsy, a tissue sample is taken from your prostate. Cancer can only be diagnosed with a tissue sample.

In addition to a PSA test, DRE , and a biopsy, research has yielded additional tests that can detect if cancer is present, and if so, how aggressive that cancer might be:

  • Phi
  • The Prostate Health Index combines three blood tests that give a more accurate Phi Score, which gives accurate information based on a high PSA to better determine the probability of finding cancer during a biopsy.
  • PCA3
  • A urine test that more accurately detects the possibility of prostate cancer by examining the expression of PCA3 a gene specific to prostate cancer. The PCA3 score is used to determine the need for repeated biopsies. Research has continued for years to look into whether PCA3 can replace or serves as a substitute for the PSA test.
  • 4KScore
  • ExoDx Prostate
  • A simple, non-invasive urine test to assess your risk of having clinically significant high-grade prostate cancer. The ExoDx Prostate Test does not require a digital rectal exam and provides an individualized risk score that can help determine to whether to proceed or defer a prostate biopsy.
  • Self Prostate Exam For Prostate Stones

     

    How to detect prostate stones in time? Experts said that the nature of prostate stones is the same as kidney stones, and stomach stones. However, the location of stones is in the prostate. Then how do we perform self prostate exam for prostate stones?

     

    Self prostate exam for prostate stones

    1, under normal circumstances, the existence of prostate stones alone has no symptoms.

    2, when the prostate gland and benign prostatic hyperplasia coexist, there will be symptoms of weak, urinary frequency, urinary wait, urine droplets and so on.

    3, There will be discomfort of perineum, penis, pubic and anal and other adjacent organs. When getting up in the morning, the urethra will have white discharge when prostate stones and prostatitis coexist.

    4, when the prostate stones and urethritis or other diseases of urinary tract infection coexist, there will be symptoms of frequent urination, urgency, hematuria and so on.

    Summary

    Above is the self prostate exam for prostate stones, have you learned it? Experts said that the best way for an early detection of prostate stones is to go to the hospital for medical examination. If your body has had the above symptoms, be sure go to the regular hospital for timely inspection.

     

    Who Should Get A Digital Rectal Exam

    Not all medical institutions agree on when men should begin screening for prostate cancer or even if a DRE should be part of the screening.

    To help detect prostate cancer in its early stages, the American Cancer Society recommends that men talk to their doctors about the benefits, risks, and limitations of prostate cancer screening before deciding whether to be tested.

    For most men at average risk, discussions about screening begin at age 50. However, some doctors recommend that men at higher risk of prostate cancer — African-American men or men with a family history of prostate — start screening earlier.

     

    What Tests Might I Have At The Hospital

    Symptom questionnaire

    You might be asked to fill in a short questionnaire about your symptoms. This is called the International Prostate Symptom Score and is used to see how bad your symptoms are and how much they are bothering you.

    Urine flow test

    Youll be asked to urinate into a machine that measures the speed of your urine flow. Men with an enlarged prostate usually have a slower flow than other men. You’ll need a full bladder for the test. The doctor or nurse will tell you how much to drink before you have the test. They may also ask you not to urinate for two to three hours before the test.

    Ultrasound scan

    Part 2 Of 2:checking Your Prostate

  • 1Robert Dhir, MDBoard Certified Urologist & Urological SurgeonExpert Interview. 23 September 2020. Though it may seem relatively simple to perform, prostate exams require proper technique and the ability to understand what you are feeling for.
  • Possible complications include bleeding due to nail punctures of cysts or other masses. This can lead to infection or other complications, which you cannot handle at home and would require a trip to your doctor regardless.
  • In addition, if your self exam is abnormal and you seek advice from your doctor, he will most likely repeat the exam to confirm the results anyway.
  • 2Assume the correct position. Performed at your doctors office, your doctor would position you either lying down on your side with your knees up or standing leaning forward with your hips flexed. This gives the doctor easier access to your rectum and prostate.XResearch sourceBickley, Lynn S. Techniques of Examination. Chapter 15 The anus, rectum and prostate. Bates Pocket Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. sixth edition. P 262-264. © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • 4Put on a sterile glove. You or your partner should put on a sterile latex glove to perform the DRE. Ensure that you wash your hands before touching the glove to put it on. You will only use your index finger for the exam, but you should still wear gloves.
  • Use gentle pressure.
  • How Do You Do It

    Generally, there are three ways to accomplish the procedure perfectly. One of them is through internal massage. In this case, you need to do the following things before you start the procedure:

  • wash and clean your hands perfectly
  • remove any edges on your nails
  • relax
  • get privacy
  • When you do these things, put your finger gently in your anus. Do not rush here because this is very sensitive area and therefore you have to be careful.

    After you have your finger placed there, nice and easy search for your prostate gland. It is round in shape and you probably will not have any troubles finding it. After you have found it, you need to use your finger to massage the prostate gland gently.

    The second method is the external self prostate massage, where you do not put your finger in your anus. Many men feel uncomfortable doing the internal massage and because of that they prefer the external massage.

    In this situation, you massage the area between your anus and scrotum. It is called perineum and it is very gentle area, also.

    The third possible option for massaging the prostate is the assisted massage, where you can use one of the many tools, which are made for this reason.

    How Is Prostate Cancer Detected

    There is no single test to detect prostate cancer. The two most common tests are the prostate specific antigen blood test and the digital rectal examination .

    The PSA test measures the level of PSA in your blood. It does not specifically test for cancer. Virtually all PSA is produced by the prostate gland. The normal range depends on your age. A PSA above the typical range may indicate the possibility of prostate cancer. However, two-thirds of cases of elevated PSA are due to noncancerous conditions such as prostatitis and BPH.

    A DRE is generally conducted by a urologist to feel the prostate. While DRE is no longer recommended as a routine test for men who do not have symptoms of prostate cancer, it may be used to check for any changes in the prostate before doing a biopsy.

    If either of these tests suggest an abnormality, other tests are necessary to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer, usually a magnetic resonance imaging scan and transrectal ultrasound biopsy.

    Self Prostate Exam: Hot Water With Hip Bath For 5 Days

     

    How to avoid the detour on the diagnosis of the disease? Experts recommend a simple self prostate exam which is:

    If you find yourself may have at least one of the above three types of symptoms, patients can use hip bath with hot water daily for 1-2 times, each time 20 minutes. The water temperature should always remain at 50 Celsius degrees, and receive the treatment continuously for 5 days. If the symptoms reduce or disappear, the patient is likely to be suffering from chronic prostatitis. This self prostate exam is simple with no toxic side effects and helpful for the diagnosis and treatment.

     

    How To Stimulate Prostate For Maximum Pleasure

    Feel For Yourself: Prostate Conditions Display

    There are a number of ways to achieve the goal. Here is how you should proceed for maximum effects.

    Step 1: Prepare the Things That You Need

    You need to pay attention to certain things before you even think of stimulating your prostate internally or externally. If you are have someone massaging it for you, then he/she should make the preparations. For instance:

    • You should trim your nails and use a filer to get rid of any sharp edges. You will be using your finger to learn how to stimulate prostate and sharp nails can hurt your sensitive tissues.
    • You should wash your hands thoroughly using an antiseptic solution to reduce the chances of infection.
    • You should get a good quality lube and lubricate your hand properly. You may even consider lubricating the anus.
    • You should spend some time massaging your perineum and anus from the outside before taking it to the next step.

    Step 2: Prepare your Body and Sexual Organs

    You need to understand that rushing through things may lead to complications. You need to be patient and always start with an external massage. The perineum, the area located between the anus sand the scrotum, should be massaged lighting from the outside. Even though you don’t feel your prostate when massaging the perineum, you’re still giving a massage to your prostate in an indirect way. Maintain a rhythmic, circular motion when massaging the anus it is fine to gently push on your anus without inserting your finger in for now.

    Step 3: Find the Prostate

    Can I Check For Prostate Cancer At Home

    It is strongly advised under any circumstances not to self-examine for prostate cancer at home either by yourself or with a partner. Not only does it take a skilled professional to assess how the prostate feels to make an accurate determination of overall prostate health, self-examinations have the potential to cause injury. 

    âSince the prostate is an internal gland, itâs extremely important that only licensed medical professionals conduct the exam. At-home self-exams should not be administered in order to avoid injury or self-harm. Regular screening is important for prostate cancer, as the disease often does not present symptoms until it is too late. Talk to your doctor about making sure you receive a regular DRE check-up at each visit.â

    While actually screening yourself for prostate cancer at home is ill advised, you can still monitor your risk factors for prostate cancer between yearly check-ups, like practicing a healthy diet and exercising regularly. 

    â

    The Best Anal Sex Toys For Prostate Massage

    If you’re ready to move on to bigger and more advanced anal toys, here are some of the best anal sex toys for prostate massage.

    Mantric Re-chargeable P-spot Probe Vibrator

    This firm silicone anal sex toy is a powerful P-spot vibrator, with a curved shaft for intense prostate stimulation and stimulating nubs on the handle for extra external sensation. It has 4 inches of insertable length and 7 modes of vibration. And, it’s waterproof and rechargeable.

    Icicles Curved P-spot Glass Butt Plug

    Glass sex toys might seem intimidating, but they are some of the most simple yet versatile sex toys as they can be heated or cooled in a bowl of water, allowing you to experience different temperatures and the sensations that come with them. This glass butt plug has been handcrafted with an angled tip and curved shaft, perfect for anal stimulation.

    It’s made from smooth borosilicate glass which is shatter-resistant, hypoallergenic and compatible with all lubes.

    LELO Loki Wave Vibrating Prostate Massager

    LELO’s Loki Wave is a vibrating prostate massager like no other, because as well as vibration, it literally waves and beckons inside you in a ‘come hither’ motion. This stimulates the prostate for P-spot orgasms. It also has a perineum stimulator.

    SHOP NOW

    How Does A Person Prepare To Receive A Prostate Massage

    One quick FYI is that prostate massages can make people feel like they have to pee, so the person having their prostate massaged should probably empty their bladder beforehand. Then you and your partner should take deep breaths. Deep breathing activates the bodys relaxation responsewhich is good for everyone involvedand a relaxed anal sphincter is a happy anal sphincter . Keep in mind that the more relaxed and turned on one is, the more comfort and pleasure theyre likely to experience.

    Another thing to remember: The physical position may make receiving a prostate massage feel better or more feasible. Its not a guarantee, but some people find that being on top makes anal penetration easier, SELF previously reported. Your partner can kneel with your hand between their legs, for instance. With that said, it will likely take some experimentation to figure out which position feels best for the person receiving a prostate massage.

    How To Check Your Blood Pressure Manually

    To manually take your blood pressure, youll need a blood pressure cuff with a squeezable balloon and an aneroid monitor, also known as a sphygmomanometer, and a stethoscope. An aneroid monitor is a number dial. If possible, enlist the help of a friend or family member, because it can be difficult to use this method on your own.

    Here are the steps to taking your blood pressure at home:

  • Before taking your blood pressure, make sure youre relaxed. Position your arm straight, palm facing up on a level surface, such as a table. Youll place the cuff on your bicep and squeeze the balloon to inflate the cuff. Using the numbers on the aneroid monitor, inflate the cuff about 20-30 mm Hg over your normal blood pressure. If you dont know your normal blood pressure, ask your doctor how much you should inflate the cuff.
  • Once the cuff is inflated, place the stethoscope with the flat side down on the inside of your elbow crease, toward the inner part of your arm where the major artery of your arm is located. Be sure to test the stethoscope before using it to make sure you can hear properly. You can do that by tapping on the stethoscope. Its also helpful to have a high-quality stethoscope and to ensure that the ears of the stethoscope are pointed in toward your eardrums.
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