How To Check Your Own Prostate Safely (And When You Shouldn’t)
Most men feel anxious or embarrassed when it comes to prostate exams, and some even wonder if they can check their prostate themselves at home. Check Your Own Prostate: Understanding what’s normal and what could be a warning sign is important, but so is knowing the risks of examining yourself. This guide walks through when prostate exams are needed, signs of prostate problems, and how a professional digital rectal exam (DRE) differs from a self-check — and why doctors strongly recommend leaving this test to trained professionals.
Table of Contents – Check Your Own Prostate
- Do You Need a Prostate Exam Based on Age?
- Signs You May Have a Prostate Problem
- Why Consulting a Doctor Matters
- What a PSA Test Can Reveal
- Should You Check Your Prostate Yourself?
- How to Position Yourself
- Checking for External Changes
- Why Gloves and Hygiene Matter
- Lubrication Is Essential
- Feeling the Rectal Walls
- Locating the Prostate
- After the Exam
- Reporting Findings to a Physician
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Key Takeaways
Do You Need a Prostate Exam Based on Age?
Age is one of the biggest risk factors for prostate cancer. Most healthcare professionals recommend that men begin regular prostate screening around age 50, usually including a digital rectal exam (DRE). This quick in-office procedure allows a doctor to check for lumps, swelling, or irregularities.
If you have a family history of prostate cancer — especially a father or brother diagnosed before age 65 — doctors may start screening earlier. Genetics significantly raise the likelihood of developing prostate disease, so preventing delays can save lives. Black men are also considered high-risk due to higher rates of aggressive prostate cancer. For this group, regular exams may start at age 45 or even age 40 if multiple family members have been affected.
Signs You May Have a Prostate Problem
The prostate sits just below the bladder and around the urethra. When it becomes inflamed or enlarged, it can directly affect urination. Symptoms such as slow flow, difficulty starting, or waking up several times nightly are common signs something may be wrong.
Pain during ejaculation, burning while urinating, or blood in urine indicate your prostate may need medical attention. These issues could relate to infection, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or something more serious. Persistent lower back or pelvic pain can also be linked to prostate issues. Any combination of these symptoms deserves a thorough medical evaluation — not just a DIY test.
Consulting With a Physician
Even when a symptom feels minor, skipping proper care can allow problems to progress silently. Doctors can perform additional exams that are impossible to do yourself at home. This might include a transrectal ultrasound to view the prostate in detail.
If a concerning area is found, your physician may recommend a biopsy — the only conclusive way to detect prostate cancer. Early intervention drastically improves survival and treatment success rates. A self-exam might feel like taking control — but a misjudgment could delay diagnosis or create unnecessary fear. A professional evaluation ensures accuracy and peace of mind.
Take a PSA Test – Check Your Own Prostate
A PSA test measures levels of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. Check Your Own Prostate – High PSA can indicate prostate enlargement, inflammation, or cancer. It’s a valuable screening tool when interpreted correctly by a clinician.
However, PSA is not perfect. Bike riding, ejaculation, and even hard pressure during a rectal exam can temporarily raise PSA levels. This can lead to unnecessary biopsies or anxiety. Doctors often repeat the test if levels are elevated. Routine PSA checks are usually performed yearly — or every two years if your results are consistently low.
Should You Check Your Prostate Yourself?
While you technically can reach your prostate manually, it is not recommended. The prostate is deep and requires expertise to evaluate correctly. A self-exam may cause harm or miss meaningful changes.
There’s also a risk of puncturing a cyst or hemorrhoid, leading to pain or infection. And even if you feel something, you will still need a doctor’s confirmation through proper diagnostic tools. Self-exams are best thought of as a temporary measure if you cannot access medical care — not a replacement for professional screening.
Get in the Correct Position
If someone insists on performing a self-check, positioning matters. The two most accessible positions are standing and leaning forward, or lying on your side with your knees pulled up. These stances relax the muscles around the anus, making insertion easier.
Breathing slowly and staying calm helps the muscles loosen and reduces discomfort. Rushing can cause tension and increase the risk of injury. Always ensure privacy, comfort, and good lighting to avoid mistakes or contamination.
Check for Skin Problems
Before internal examination, look for issues around the anus such as hemorrhoids, warts, or cysts. A handheld mirror or trusted partner may be necessary. These external signs often suggest underlying conditions that require medical care.
Any skin opening or irritation can create a higher risk of infection if you insert a finger. It’s better to postpone the exam if soreness or broken skin is present. Self-checks should never override common sense — when something looks wrong, get a professional involved immediately.
The Glove Comes First – Check Your Own Prostate
A fresh medical-grade latex or nitrile glove helps maintain hygiene and prevents bacteria from entering the rectum. Check Your Own Prostate – Wash hands first to keep the glove surface sterile as you prepare.
Trim fingernails fully. Long or rough nails can easily scratch sensitive rectal tissue, causing bleeding or painful tears. Use only your index finger; it offers the best reach and control while minimizing discomfort.
Lubrication Is Essential
Even professionals use ample medical lubricant, such as water-based lubricants. It prevents pain, reduces friction, and protects tissue from tears. Do not attempt insertion without it.
Only water-based lubricants should be used, as oils or petroleum jelly can irritate skin or react poorly with gloves. Smooth, gentle insertion is important at every stage. If there is burning during insertion, stop and reassess. Forcing the exam can do more harm than good.
Inside the Rectum: Check the Walls
Once a finger is inside, gently rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. Check Your Own Prostate – You are feeling for unusual bumps or firm areas along the rectal wall. A healthy surface feels soft and smooth.
Do not push aggressively — pain means pressure is too strong. The rectum is delicate, and trauma may cause bleeding that requires treatment. If you cannot feel anything clearly, that is normal. Professionals spend years learning what abnormalities feel like.
Finding the Prostate
The prostate lies toward the front of the rectum, near the belly side. It should feel like a rounded, rubbery bump — about the size of a walnut. Tenderness or swelling could indicate inflammation (prostatitis), BPH, or possibly cancer.
A truly alarming sign would be hard lumps or an irregular, uneven shape. But again — only a trained clinician can accurately interpret findings. If you detect anything unusual, schedule a medical exam right away and explain that you did a self-check so your doctor can interpret PSA results correctly.
After the Exam – Check Your Own Prostate
A clinical prostate exam typically lasts 10 seconds or less. Extending that time can cause significant discomfort and doesn’t improve accuracy. Once finished, remove the glove inside-out and dispose of it properly.
Wash your hands thoroughly. The rectum contains bacteria that must be handled hygienically to prevent infection. If you experience bleeding, increased pain, or fever afterward — seek medical attention immediately.
Talk With Your Doctor
Whether your self-exam felt normal or not, communicating with your physician is the best way to protect your health. They may recommend a PSA test or a DRE performed by a specialist.
If prostate changes are caught early, treatment options are significantly more effective and less invasive. You deserve accurate answers — not guesswork. Your doctor is your best partner in maintaining prostate wellness throughout life.
Key Takeaways
- Self-exams are not a substitute for regular doctor-performed prostate screenings.
- Urinary symptoms and pelvic pain can signal prostate issues that need medical care.
- PSA testing and professional digital rectal exams remain the most trusted tools.
- Injury and misdiagnosis are common with self-exams.
- Early and professional detection dramatically improves outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions – Check Your Own Prostate
Is it safe to check my prostate myself?
You can physically reach your prostate, but self-checks are not considered safe or reliable. Incorrect pressure or technique can cause injury, and misinterpreting results can delay critical medical care.
How do I locate the prostate?
It is located about two inches inside the rectum toward the front. You should feel a smooth, rounded mound. But difficulty locating the prostate is common, even for trained professionals.
What should I feel for?
A healthy prostate feels symmetrical, smooth, and firm but not hard. Any sharp pain, hardened nodules, or unevenness should be evaluated by a physician.
What are the risks of checking myself?
Damage to rectal tissue, bleeding, severe discomfort, infection, and false findings. Always prioritize professional exams when possible.
How often should I check my prostate?
If you feel the need for self-checks, do them no more than once a year — and only in addition to regular doctor visits after age 50 or earlier if high-risk.
Proactive Prostate Care for a Confident Future
Your prostate health deserves expert care, not guesswork. While it’s helpful to understand how exams work, the safest and smartest choice is to schedule regular screenings with a trained clinician. Strong communication with your healthcare provider, awareness of symptoms, and timely PSA tests all contribute to long-term wellbeing.
You don’t need to face prostate concerns alone — there are trusted medical professionals ready to keep you healthy, confident, and protected for years to come.
