Prostate massage - Worth it?
Posted , 4 users are following.
I'm UK based, mid forties and have an enlarged prostate (BPH) but only about 50 grams. I have suffered on and off with prostatitis and general CPPS. The pain is one of the biggest issues. It generally impacts my quality of life (sitting is the main issue). I've had three UTI's. Two required inpatient treatment and one was localised to the prostate.
My consultant doesn't have many options now other than to manage the pain and if / when the prostate is large enough, consider surgery options. We agreed that due to the risks we should delay surgery until I really need it.
He has offered prostate massage which in his own words is not backed up by any scientific evidence but some people do get a benefit from it, plus a sample can be collected to check there is no dormant infection not picked up by urine samples.
I was under the impression that this was a simple process. Everybody else talks about a quick session in the surgery and a DRE type massage. I have just been given a date and the process is a lot more involved. I'm advised it's a general anaesthetic (not local) and a cystoscopy but not the flexible one. It's not clear but it sounds like they will be inserting the probe directly in to collect the sample. They have not explained how they will press the prostate.
My question is has anybody had this type of massage and has anybody got any benefit from it? I'm minded to think that this procedure has slim chances of any benefit at best and once you consider the involved process it's now not very attractive to me.
0 likes, 3 replies
michael12274 S78975
Edited
Prostate message is simply done by Urologist sticking his finger down your anus and touching your prostate with that finger. Have you ever had a semen culture test? ( can't have sex about 7 days before giving sample). Also prostate fluid culture test? that can determine if you have any bacteria in your prostate. I'm not talking about chlamydia or other STI. I'm talking about e.coli and Enterococcus. Those usually are not pick up by simple urine test and can cause acute/chronic bacterial prostatitis.
S78975 michael12274
Posted
No I have not. This procedure is the same but they have decided to do it under general anaesthetic and presumably take sample direct. I'll update here if anybody requests after it's done.
michael12274 S78975
Posted
the only way to take a sample from prostate fluid is through prostate massage. U give the small urine sample before prostate massage but you must make sure that you DO NOT empty your blader completely. then you going back to have your prostate massage as long as it is necessary for your prostate fluid to start gently dripping from tip of your penis. Then you must run to toilet and give second urine sample ( urine mixed with prostate fluid). After that the laboratory will compare both samples and check if the bacteria is in your prostate gland or only in your urinary track. Make sure you do not have sex 7days before. Also wash your hands properly so you do not contaminate your samples. If your consultant is not planning to do it for ya and is only doing prostate massage you are in wrong hands. Change the consultant because he is clueless. Establishing if the prostate problems are caused by bacteria should be No.1 priority. Good luck