Prostate Ultrasound Procedure

A prostate ultrasound, also known as prostate sonography, is a test that uses sound waves to bounce off the tissues in your body to create black-and-white images of your prostate. This test is performed to check your prostate for any abnormalities, cancer, or other diseases related to the prostate. It takes less than an hour to complete this exam, which is safe. It assists your doctor in detecting potential prostate issues before they worsen or become intractable.

Why is Prostate Ultrasound Done?

Your doctor suggests a prostate ultrasound for the following reasons.
Difficulty urinating
Lumps or nodules around the rectum
Abnormal findings of blood or urine test etc.

Precautions

For a few hours prior to the test, avoid eating.
A few hours before the test, take an enema to assist empty up your intestines.
About a week prior to the procedure, stop taking any medications that may cause blood thinning.
On the day of the procedure, avoid wearing tight clothing or jewellery.
Take any prescribed medicines to relax you before and during the procedure.
If your doctor decides to give you a sedative, make sure someone is present to drive you home.

Procedure

An ultrasound technician may request that you change into a gown and remove your clothing when you arrive at the location for the test. The technician will then instruct you to kneel while lying on your back or side on an examination table.
In order to help the transducer broadcast good images during the process, the technician covers it with ultrasonic gel. The technician will then carefully slide the transducer about your rectum after slowly inserting it there to get photos of your prostate from various angles.
While the transducer is inside, your rectum may feel as though it is swollen, and the gel may feel chilly and moist.