A prostate ultrasound is an imaging test that looks at the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland below the bladder and wrapped around the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body). The prostate gland is a male sex organ that produces the fluid that makes up semen.
A prostate ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create a picture of the gland so that health care providers can see its size and structure and look for abnormalities.
Why would I need a prostate ultrasound ?
Your referring provider for the prostate ultrasound explains why you need the imaging test.
The prostate ultrasound is done to determine the cause of symptoms like increased urination, difficulty starting urination, or a weak urine stream. These symptoms could indicate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — an enlarged prostate.
You’ll also need a prostate ultrasound if you have high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. A PSA test is the standard screening for prostate cancer. If your levels are higher than normal, your health care provider will request a follow-up prostate ultrasound to confirm or rule out cancer.
What happens after a prostate ultrasound?
UltraSound Associates USA, reviews the images and sends a written report to your referring provider within 24 hours.