Skip to main content
        
        U.S. flag
                An official website of the United States government
                    Here’s how you know
                Here’s how you know**Official websites use .gov**
                        
                        A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                        
                        A **lock** (
                        Locked padlock icon
                        ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.Search
    Menu

        Search for Information from NIDDK
            
            Entire Site
                Research & Funding
                Health Information
                News
                About NIDDKSearch

Home
            Research & Funding
                                Expand Research & Funding
                                Current Funding Opportunities
                                                    Research Programs & Contacts
                                                    Human Subjects Research
                                                    Funding Process
                                            Research Training & Career Development
                                                    Funded Grants & Grant History
                                                    Research Resources
                                            Research at NIDDK
                                                    Technology Advancement & Transfer
                                                    Meetings & Workshops
                        Health Information
                                Expand Health Information
                                Health Topics
                                                                                                    Diabetes
                                                    Digestive Diseases
                                                    Kidney Disease
                                                    Weight Management
                                                    Liver Disease
                                                    Urologic Diseases
                                                    Endocrine Diseases
                                                    Diet & Nutrition
                                                    Blood Diseases
                                                    Diagnostic Tests
                                            La información de la salud en español
                                                    Health Statistics
                                                    Healthy Moments Radio Broadcast
                                                    Clinical Trials
                                            For Health Professionals
                                                    Diabetes Discoveries & Practice Blog
                                                    Community Health & Outreach
                        News
                                Expand News
                                News Archive
                                                    For Reporters
                                            Meetings & Workshops
                                                    Media Library
                                            Follow Us
                        About NIDDK
                                Expand About NIDDK
                                Meet the Director
                                                    Offices & Divisions
                                                    Staff Directory
                                                    Budget & Legislative Information
                                            Advisory & Coordinating Committees
                                                    Strategic Plans & Reports
                                                    Research Areas
                                                    FAQs
                                            Jobs at NIDDK
                                                    Visit Us
                                                    Contact Us Home
                    Health Information
                    Diagnostic Tests
                    Prostate Tests

    Related Topics
        Diagnostic Tests
        A1C Test & Diabetes
                A1C Test & Race/Ethnicity
                Colonoscopy
                Cystoscopy & Ureteroscopy
                Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
                Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
                Kidney Biopsy
                Liver Biopsy
                Lower GI Series
                Prostate Tests
                Thyroid Tests
                Upper GI Endoscopy
                Upper GI Series
                Urinary Tract Imaging
                Urodynamic Testing
                Virtual ColonoscopyProstate Tests
**On this page:**
What are prostate tests?
    Why do health care professionals use prostate tests?
    What steps will your health care professional take before ordering prostate tests?
    What prostate tests do health care professionals use?
    What additional tests do health care professionals use?
    How do I prepare for prostate tests?
    What should I expect after prostate tests?
    What are the risks of prostate tests?What are prostate tests?
Prostate tests are performed to check for problems with your prostate. The tests can show if your prostate is enlarged, if it is causing bladder problems, or if there are signs of cancer.
Side view of the male reproductive organs and urinary tract, including the prostate gland. Labels show the rectum, bladder, prostate gland, penis, urethra, and testicle.Side view of the male urinary tract. The prostate is below the bladder and surrounds the urethra at the neck of the bladder. Urine flows from the bladder through the prostate and leaves your body from the urethra.
Why do health care professionals use prostate tests?
Different prostate problems can have similar symptoms. A medical exam followed by prostate testing is important for diagnosing your problem.
Health care professionals may recommend prostate tests if you have symptoms such as
urinary frequency, urinary urgency, or nocturia
    trouble starting a urine stream or a weak or interrupted urine stream
    urine blockage
    urinary retention
    bladder control problems, known as urinary incontinence
    urine with an unusual color or odor
    painful urination or painful ejaculationWhat steps will your health care professional take before ordering prostate tests?
Before ordering any prostate tests, your health care professional will review your medical history, including any major illnesses or surgeries, perform a physical exam, and may ask
if you have a family history of prostate problems
    when your problem or symptoms started and how often they occur
    whether you consume caffeine and alcohol
    how much water or other liquids you typically drink each daySome prostate problems may require a series of medical exams and tests for diagnosis.
What prostate tests do health care professionals use?
Health care professionals may use the following tests to diagnose prostate problems.
Digital rectal exam
Many health care professionals perform a digital rectal exam (DRE) as part of a routine physical exam for males ages 50 or older. Some males may start receiving a DRE as part of a physical exam earlier, at age 40, whether or not they have any urinary problems.
During a DRE, your health care professional will feel your prostate for any abnormalities that could need more tests. The DRE may be slightly uncomfortable, but it is brief. You will either stand and bend forward or lie on your side on the exam table with your knees bent for the exam.
Cross-section illustration of male anatomy shows a gloved index finger inserted into the rectum to check the prostate. Labels show the rectum, prostate, bladder, and the finger checking the prostate.During a digital rectal exam, your health care professional slides a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum and feels your prostate.
If an infection is suspected, your health care professional might gently massage the prostate to collect a sample of fluid to examine under a microscope. The DRE may also help determine if a prostate biopsy or other tests are needed, especially if your health care professional feels a mass within the prostate.
Prostate-specific antigen test
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)  is a protein made only by the prostate gland. The PSA test is a blood test that measures the amount of PSA protein in your blood.
The PSA test is most often used along with the DRE to rule out prostate cancer. Finding high levels of PSA in your blood could be a sign of prostate cancer or of less serious problems, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis.
The PSA test is a screening test that may be difficult to interpret, particularly if the test has been only done once. The difficulties in interpreting the PSA can lead to potentially unnecessary prostate biopsies and treatment.1 For example,
the PSA test is known to have false-positive and false-negative results. Repeating the test and establishing a trend for your number is helpful to reduce some of this inaccuracy.
    a high PSA level could be a sign of prostate cancer, but it could also indicate other problems with the prostate.
    follow-up diagnostic tests, such as a prostate biopsy, could cause side effects, including bleeding and infection.If you are between the ages of 55 and 69, the PSA test may be recommended for you to consider. If you are age 70 or older, the test is not usually recommended. Talk with your health care professional about any concerns and whether the PSA test is right for you.
Prostate health index
The prostate health index (PHI), approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, combines your PSA score in a mathematical formula with results from two additional blood tests. Your health care professional may order those two additional blood tests if your PSA score is between 4 and 10. The PHI measures your risk for prostate cancer more accurately, and it might save you an unnecessary biopsy.2
Biopsy
Most prostate biopsies are guided by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). However, health care professionals are increasingly using more targeted and accurate imaging techniques with biopsies.3,4,5
TRUS-guided biopsy
TRUS is most often used to examine the prostate and is usually combined with a biopsy. A health care professional inserts a probe that is slightly larger than a finger into the rectum next to the prostate. The ultrasound image shows the size of the prostate and might identify abnormal-looking areas within the prostate, such as tumors. Your health care professional will perform a biopsy by inserting a needle through the rectum next to the ultrasound probe or through the perineum into several areas of the prostate. Tissue samples are removed and examined by a pathologist to see if any of them are cancerous. This technique has the risk of missing tumors that are outside the sampling areas.
Cross-section of male anatomy shows an ultrasound probe with needle inserted into the rectum taking a tissue sample from the prostate. Labels show the bladder, rectum, prostate, ultrasound probe, and needle.During a transrectal biopsy, a health care professional inserts an ultrasound probe into the rectum to see where the tumor is, then inserts a needle into the prostate to remove a tissue sample.
Magnetic resonance imaging/TRUS-fusion-guided biopsy
A health care professional will take an image of your prostate during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The health care professional will load the MRI image into special software where it is fused with real-time TRUS images. The combined images allow for targeted guidance and precise biopsy of any concerning areas. These targeted biopsies might be combined with a systematic biopsy to sample other parts of the prostate.
MRI-guided biopsy
During an MRI, biopsy needles are inserted through the rectum or perineum into targeted areas seen on the MRI. This technique is not used often because it can be complicated and expensive.
Cognitive fusion
MRI images are taken before and during a TRUS biopsy to provide guidance on biopsy targets. This technique is more accurate at finding prostate cancer than a TRUS biopsy alone. However, health care professionals must have special training in this technique to perform it, and there may not be a professional available in your area.
What additional tests do health care professionals use?
Your health care professional may order additional tests for more information, such as
urinalysis  to see if you have an infection in your bladder
    urodynamic tests  to measure the pressure in your bladder while you urinate to see if your bladder is obstructed
    cystoscopy  to make sure your urinary symptoms are not due to bladder cancer  or a bladder stone and to check your prostate’s shape and size
    ultrasound  of the abdomen to see if there are any blockages in your urinary tract, including the kidneys
    MRI  or computed tomography (CT) scans  to identify abnormalities in the urinary tractHow do I prepare for prostate tests?
Some tests may require preparation, while others may not. You may need to
drink two to three glasses of water, without going to the bathroom, about an hour before some abdominal ultrasounds or some urodynamic tests
    if prescribed, take antibiotics to prevent infection before tests that involve inserting instruments into the urethra or rectum, or before biopsyAsk your health care professional if there is anything you need to do before your test.
What should I expect after prostate tests?
You may feel some discomfort shortly after your tests, but you can usually go back to your normal activities. Some people may experience additional symptoms after certain prostate tests.
DRE
You may bleed slightly from the rectum afterward. This is more likely to happen if you have hemorrhoids or anal fissures, which are small tears in your anus that may cause itching, pain, or bleeding.6
PSA
You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was inserted to draw the blood, but most symptoms go away quickly.7
Prostate biopsy
You may see some blood in your urine or ejaculate, or from your rectum for a short while after the procedure.8,9 You may be asked to take antibiotics to prevent infection.
It may take several days to weeks to get your test results. Your health care professional will talk with you about the results and ways to treat the problem.
What are the risks of prostate tests?
Risks of side effects or complications from prostate tests vary. Before any test, talk with your health care professional about risks, benefits,  and potential complications.
Low-risk prostate tests include the PSA test, DRE, ultrasound, and MRI. Prostate biopsy may have a higher risk for side effects or complications such as
blood in the urine  or ejaculate, or rectal bleeding—these may be temporary
    urinary tract infections
    severe infection of the blood, called sepsis
    urinary retention or erectile dysfunction
    injury to the wall of the rectumSeek care right away
After a prostate test, call or see a health care professional right away if you
feel severe discomfort
    feel pain when urinating, have cloudy urine, or cannot urinate
    have blood in your urine or ejaculate, or coming from the rectum or around your anus
    have a fever or chillsReferences
[1] Jain MA, Sapra A. Prostate Cancer Screening. In: *StatPearls [Internet]*. StatPearls Publishing; 2020. Updated June 3, 2020. Accessed April 11, 2022. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556081
[2] Loeb S, Catalona WJ. The Prostate Health Index: a new test for the detection of prostate cancer. *Therapeutic Advances in Urology*. 2014;6(2):74–77. doi:10.1177/1756287213513488
[3] Brown AM, Elbuluk O, Mertan F, et al. Recent advances in image-guided targeted prostate biopsy. *Abdominal Imaging*. 2015;40(6):1788–1799. doi:10.1007/s00261-015-0353-8
[4] Ahdoot M, Wilbur AR, Reese SE, et al. MRI-targeted, systematic, and combined biopsy for prostate cancer diagnosis. *New England Journal of Medicine* 2020;382:917–928. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1910038
[5] Giganti F, Moore CM. A critical comparison of techniques for MRI-targeted biopsy of the prostate. *Translational Andrology and Urology*. 2017;6(3):432–443. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.03.77
[6] Digital rectal exam. Cancer.Net. Accessed July 15, 2022. www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/diagnosing-cancer/tests-and-procedures/digital-rectal-exam-dre
[7] MRI scans. MedlinePlus. Updated December 22, 2016. Accessed July 15, 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/mriscans.html
[8] Babayan RK, Katz MH. Biopsy prophylaxis, technique, complications, and repeat biopsies. In: Mydlo JH, Godec CJ, eds. *Prostate Cancer: Science and Clinical Practice*. 2nd ed. Elsevier; 2016:77–82.
[9] Trabulsi EJ, Halpern EJ, Gomella LG. Prostate biopsy: techniques and imaging. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, eds. *Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology*. 12th ed. Elsevier; 2021:3490-3505.        Last Reviewed March 2023
Sharethis page

Print
    Facebook
    X
    Email
    
    More Options
    
    WhatsApp
    LinkedIn
    Reddit
    Pinterest
    
    Copy Link
                
                This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.
    NIDDK would like to thank:
R. Charles Welliver Jr., M.D., Albany Medical College Contact Us
**Hours:** 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday**Email:** healthinfo@niddk.nih.gov**Phone:** +1-800-860-8747**TTY:** +711
Chat
Live Chat Available8:30 a.m - 5 p.m. ETMonday - Friday
Follow Us
LinkedIn
X
Facebook
YouTube
InstagramNIH... Turning Discovery Into Health ®
Privacy Policy
    Freedom of Information Act
    Accessibility
    Disclaimers
    Copyright
    Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
Site Map
    For Staff Only
    Get Email Updates
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
    National Institutes of Health