Prostate Exams

Prostate Testing Procedures

The prostate, a walnut-shaped gland of the male reproductive system, functions to secrete fluid that becomes part of the semen. Located in front of the rectum and below the bladder, problems with the prostate such as inflammation affect not only sexual function but also urination. The most common prostate problem is benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), an enlarged prostate, which affects approximately 50 percent of men in their sixties according to the National Association for Continence. In addition the American Cancer Society reports that 1...

All About Prostate Exams

Tests for Prostate

The prostate is a relatively small gland (about the size of a walnut) that sits at the base of the penis. The prostate is responsible for the synthesis and excretion of the fluid portion of semen. Several diseases can afflict t...

How Is a Prostate Exam Performed?

The first part of a thorough prostate exam is also known as the digital rectal exam. With this exam, the physician puts on latex gloves and lubricates one finger. The doctor then inserts this lubricated finger into the rectum t...

4 Ways to Prepare for a Prostate Exam

If you're over age 40, you should have an annual prostate exam. The purpose of this test is to screen you for prostate and rectal cancer, and it consists of a doctor manually examining your prostate via a procedure known as a d...

3 Ways to Prepare for a Prostate Exam

If you're over age 40, you should undergo an annual exam to screen for prostate and rectal cancers. During the exam, your doctor will put on a lubricated glove and enter your rectum to feel your prostate, checking for hard lump...