Prostate Exam
Having a prostate exam is not only unpleasant, it is often quite embarrassing. It certainly is not something natural that we would want to go through on a regular basis. Still, there are several different reasons why you would want to have a prostate exam. Not only can it help you to be healthier overall, it may actually save your life. Here is a little bit about the exam, what to expect and why you should have it done. Although it will not help to alleviate any of the discomfort of the exam, at least you will know what is going on while it is happening.
Whenever a male reaches the age of 50, he should have his prostate examined on a regular basis. This is because many of the problems that we tend to experience with our prostate happen around this age or a little bit older. If a person has a history of prostate problems or a family history of prostate cancer, they should begin the exams about five years earlier whenever they are 45. By having regular exams, you will be able to catch any problems that are occurring with the prostate early and have the best opportunity to treat them properly.
The words drop your pants will probably be heard as a part of the prostate exam. This is just one of those terms that seems to find its way into many jokes. The fact of the matter is, prostate exams and prostate problems are certainly no joke at all. They are a very serious matter and something that you should make sure you're having done regularly. The doctor will wear latex gloves and will lubricate his index finger. He will typically give you some warning to let you know that he is about to insert the finger for examination. There will be a slight pause while the sphincter relaxes and then he will be able to feel the prostate gland from the inside.
What he is actually doing is feeling his way around the prostate from the inside of your body. He checks it for size to make sure that it is not swollen or enlarged in any other way. He will also be checking for any nodules that are unusual on the prostate gland and make sure that all seems to be in place. A doctor that performs this test typically does it on a routine basis and is able to tell if there is a problem, simply by feeling the prostate.
A prostate exam really only takes a few minutes to get over but it can save you a lifetime of problems. Even if prostate cancer is not found, he may find other problems such as prostatitis that is treatable with antibiotics. Don't skip a prostate exam simply because you are embarrassed or did not want to go through with the procedure. It is relatively painless and over quickly. It is an exam that can save your life.