The walnut-sized prostate gland is located deep within the male pelvis, positioned just below the bladder and directly in front of the rectum. Its primary function is to produce the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. The urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body, passes directly through the center of this gland. Because of this intimate relationship with the urinary tract, any changes in the prostate’s size or health often lead to noticeable urinary symptoms. While a physical self-examination of the prostate is not possible, monitoring these outward signs and understanding personal risk factors is a proactive approach to prostate health.
Understanding the Limits of Self-Examination
The desire to perform a physical self-check is understandable, but the prostate’s anatomical position makes this medically inadvisable and impractical. The gland is seated deep within the pelvic structure, behind the pubic bone, and can only be accessed by a trained medical professional through the rectal wall. Attempting a digital rectal examination (DRE) without medical training can be harmful, carrying risks of rectal injury, infection, and bleeding.
Even if an individual could reach the prostate, the necessary medical expertise to correctly interpret its texture, size, and firmness is absent. A doctor is trained to differentiate between the normal, elastic feel of a healthy gland and the firm, hard, or nodular areas that can indicate a serious condition. Relying on an untrained self-examination could lead to dangerous misinterpretations or provide false reassurance about a developing issue. The only effective way to physically examine the prostate is through established professional medical procedures.
Key Symptoms to Track at Home
The most direct way to check on prostate health at home is by carefully observing changes in urinary patterns due to the gland surrounding the urethra. One common category involves changes in the frequency and urgency of urination, particularly needing to wake up multiple times at night (nocturia). Other signs include suddenly feeling a strong, immediate need to urinate or experiencing increased frequency throughout the day.
Signs also relate to the flow of urine itself, which can be restricted as the prostate enlarges and constricts the urethra. This restriction may manifest as a weak or slow urine stream, difficulty starting urination, or a stream that stops and starts intermittently. The feeling that the bladder has not been completely emptied after urinating, or post-urination dribbling, are common indicators of potential prostate issues.
Beyond urinary changes, pain or discomfort may occur in the pelvic area. This can include aches in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs, or a burning sensation during urination. Changes in sexual health should also be noted, such as painful ejaculation or the presence of blood in the urine or semen. These symptoms can point to several conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, or prostate cancer, which all require a physician’s evaluation.
Identifying Personal Risk Factors
Understanding the factors that influence prostate health is a proactive step that goes beyond simply tracking acute symptoms. Age is the strongest factor, with the risk of developing prostate cancer increasing sharply after age 50. The majority of diagnoses occur in men aged 65 or older.
Race and family history also play a significant, uncontrollable role in susceptibility to prostate issues. For instance, African American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry have a higher incidence of prostate cancer and are often diagnosed at a younger age. Having a first-degree relative, such as a father or brother, with prostate cancer can double or even triple a man’s individual risk, especially if the relative was diagnosed before the age of 60.
Certain lifestyle choices present controllable factors that can influence risk and are important to assess. A diet high in red and processed meats, especially those cooked at high temperatures, has been linked to an increased risk of both total and advanced prostate cancer. While obesity may not increase the overall risk of getting prostate cancer, it has been associated with a higher likelihood of developing a more aggressive or advanced form of the disease. Current smokers also face a 42% higher risk of death from the disease compared to non-smokers.
Professional Diagnostic Next Steps
When concerning symptoms or a heightened personal risk profile are identified, a doctor will typically recommend two primary screening tests to assess prostate health. The Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) involves a healthcare provider inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum. The DRE allows the doctor to check the gland’s posterior surface for any abnormalities in size, texture, or the presence of suspicious lumps.
The second common screening tool is the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. The PSA test measures the level of a protein produced by the prostate; while some PSA is normal, elevated levels can indicate prostate cancer, but can also be caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia or an infection like prostatitis. Since neither test is definitive on its own, doctors often use them in combination to increase the chance of detecting a problem early.
If the DRE reveals a firm nodule or the PSA level is significantly elevated, further diagnostic steps are typically ordered. These may include a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) or a specialized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to visualize the gland more clearly. Ultimately, a definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer requires a prostate biopsy, which involves taking small tissue samples for microscopic examination.