The prostate is a small gland that can affect your quality of life more than you might expect. As men age, the prostate changes, and an ultrasound offers a simple way to assess its size, shape, and tissue structure, identify signs of inflammation or enlargement, measure any urine remaining in the bladder, and detect suspicious nodules that may require further evaluation.

There is nothing intimidating about it. It is simply a diagnostic examination, much like a routine vehicle inspection, only more important.

Who should consider a prostate ultrasound?

An examination may be recommended for men over 40, even without symptoms, as well as for those who experience frequent nighttime urination, discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen, a weak urine stream, or a feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely.

It may also be useful for men experiencing erectile difficulties, which are often associated with vascular or hormonal factors.

How is the examination performed?

A prostate ultrasound can be performed in two ways: through the abdomen, known as a transabdominal ultrasound, or through the rectum, known as a transrectal ultrasound or TRUS.

The transrectal approach provides more detailed images because the probe is closer to the prostate. It may feel unfamiliar, but the examination takes only a few minutes. For doctors who perform these scans regularly, it is a routine procedure.

How to prepare

You should arrive with a full bladder. About an hour before the examination, drink approximately one liter of water and avoid urinating until the scan. A full bladder helps the doctor visualize the prostate more clearly.

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