How uncomfortable are the tests for prostatitis?
Testing for prostatitis often involves a prostatic massage. This is unquestionably uncomfortable, but not actually painful. Urine is subsequently sent for analysis to rule out infection as the cause of your symptoms. You’ll also probably have transrectal ultrasound, which has a similar level of discomfort. Occasionally, a test known as ‘urodynamics’ is needed, which involves passing a small catheter into the bladder via the penis and the insertion into the rectum of a small tube to monitor pressure. The bladder is then filled with a fluid that will show up on X-ray, and you’ll he asked to pass urine. While you’re doing this, the pressure in the bladder is recorded and the process can be visualized on an X-ray screen. In this way, your doctor can check whether there is anything obstructing the urine flow. A PSA and other blood tests are also requested, to rule out other problems such as prostate cancer or diabetes.
