How to Examine the Prostate

The prostate is a small gland that sits at the opening of the male urethra into the bladder and excretes fluid during ejaculation. Prostatic fluid helps the sperm live longer inside the vagina and increases the chance of reproduction. Although its biggest growth spurt is during male puberty, the prostate gland experiences another growth period during a man's 40s. After 50, men are more likely to develop prostate problems. A yearly prostate exam is one way to ensure early diagnosis of prostate problems. A prostate exam performed by a professional can be done quickly with relatively little discomfort to the patient.

Things You'll Need

• Sterile medical glove
• Lubricant
• Microscope slide

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Instructions

• 1

  Have a frank conversation with the patient about what the prostate exam will entail. Some patients having their first prostate exam are not aware that you must insert your finger into their anus to examine the prostate gland. Listen to their concerns and answer any questions they may have before the prostate exam.

• 2

  Ask the patient to pull down or remove his pants. He should then bend slightly, resting his hands on a counter or the exam table. Put a sterile glove on the hand you intend to use for the prostate exam. Spread lubricant on the index finger of that hand and onto the anal opening of the patient. This will lessen the patient's discomfort during the exam.

• 3

  Alert the patient that you are about to begin. Insert your gloved finger slowly at a downward angle into the anal opening. Ask your patient to relax his sphincter muscles and do not proceed until he does so.

• 4

  Examine as much of the rectal wall as you can. Feel for pelvic structures through the rectal wall. Start with the right lateral side, move to the posterior wall and then to the left lateral wall. The prostate gland will be located along the anterior rectal wall. Once you have located the prostate gland, examine its surface, including the lobes and furrow that separates the two lobes. Take note of the size, shape and its consistency. Ask your patient if he experiences tenderness when you touch any part of the prostate.

• 5

  Slowly remove your finger from the patient's anal opening. Examine the fecal matter on your gloved finger. If you also need a fecal smear, transfer the fecal matter from the glove to a lab slide for evaluation. Dispose of the glove.