Masturbating before a prostate exam

Not sure if this has been discussed or not but is it ok to masturbate before a prostate exam? I've read that it can raise your psa levels. Is that true? I have a urologist appointment in a few months and I'm thinking if I masturbated beforehand, then I would be a bit more relaxed for my appointment

According to articles on the internet, you shouldn't ejaculate or have strenuous exercise for 48 hours prior to a PSA test, as it could artificially raise your PSA levels. Didn't see anything about it affecting the size of your prostate for a DRE. So, if you’re going to get the blood test the same time you get your urologist appointment, you should abstain. If you get the blood work before or after, simply abide by the 48 hour recommendation if you can hold off for a couple days!!!!

Retired US MD here. Good advice from @Rigel. Also, ask your urologist if he/she needs to massage your prostate to collect prostatic fluid for your care. That’s just a much firmer transrectal prostate massage than a normal DRE. If (s)he needs your fluid, masturbating might decrease the amount (s)he could collect from you by massage. I can understand you desiring to relax before your appt, but just check to see what he/she needs during your appointment. If you don’t mind, let us know how it goes. 👍🏻

Eric

Will definitely share when I have my appointment in July @ericmacson.

According to articles on the internet, you shouldn't ejacualte or have strenuous exercise for 48 hours prior to a PSA test, as it could artificially raise your PSA levels. Didn't see anything about it affecting the size of your prostate for a DRE. So, if you’re going to get the blood test the same time you get your urologist appointment, you should abstain. If you get the blood work before or after, simply abide by the 48 hour recommendation if you can hold off for a couple days!!!!

@Rigel That's very true. One time I had sex the night before my PSA test, the other time I masturbated. Raised my PSA levels significantly. Had to go get tested again, then they were normal, NEVER AGAIN! 🙄

When you go for a blood test for PSA doctor told me sex, riding a bike, motorcycle using a lawnmower can all raise your numbers. Even being stressed can raise numbers he said but for your exam. Generally I have to go for blood 1 week before appointment so he has the results on test.

Ah ok, then that's why it says on my appointment to get bloodwork one week prior. So I would be getting the psa bloodwork and a rectal done. I'd rather have both done anyways. I'll be 46 in October so I'm at that age

I wouldn't mind getting 2 rectals but getting bloodwork more than once? Um yeah no thanks

I did not know that. One would think that the doctor would instruct us accordingly.

My PSA has always hovered around 1 and I probably have masturbated the night before most of my blood tests.

I did not know that. One would think that the doctor would instruct us accordingly.

My PSA has always hovered around 1 and I probably have masturbated the night before most of my blood tests.

Sex within 48 hrs could raise your PSA, not necessarily would raise it.

I always do just to ensure I don’t get an erection during the exam