Frequently asked questions about the prostate

The prostate is a chestnut-sized gland located beneath the bladder and traversed by the urethra. It produces part of the seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm. Its position explains everything else: when it enlarges, it squeezes the urinary tract.

In young men, it weighs about 20 grams. This volume naturally increases with age. Beyond 30 to 40 grams, it is considered a significant increase. However, the number alone does not determine anything: some men are very bothered with 40 grams, while others are not bothered at all with 100.

Its growth is slow and progressive after 40 years of age, under the influence of hormones. It does not stop at a given age, but its impact depends mainly on the shape of the gland and the presence of a median lobe, which can obstruct the bladder neck even with a moderate volume.

Yes. After complete removal, generally for cancer, urination remains possible and normal life continues. On the other hand, ejaculation disappears and natural fertility is no longer possible. This is precisely what minimally invasive techniques seek to avoid in patients who can benefit from them.

It is an international questionnaire of seven questions that scores the severity of your urinary symptoms and their impact on your daily life. It allows for tracking changes over time and objectively measuring the effect of a treatment. Fill out the IPSS questionnaire

Cycling does not damage the prostate and does not cause either adenoma or cancer. However, prolonged pressure on the perineum can worsen existing discomfort and temporarily distort a PSA test result. It is therefore advised to avoid cycling in the 48 hours preceding a blood test, and for about a week after a procedure.

No food prevents'adenoma. Nevertheless, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, combined with regular physical activity, remains associated with better urological health. Certain habits, on the other hand, significantly worsen symptoms.

They do not act on the prostate itself, but irritate the bladder and increase urine production. Many patients notice a clear improvement in their nighttime awakenings by simply cutting out alcohol and coffee after 5 p.m. This is the simplest measure, and often the most effective.

Saw palmetto, pygeum, or pollen extracts are frequently used. Evidence of effectiveness varies across studies. They can modestly relieve mild symptoms, but they do not reduce the volume of the gland and do not replace a medical evaluation when discomfort sets in.

This helps, but does not fix the root cause. If getting up at night persists despite fluid restriction in the evening, the origin is mechanical and warrants an evaluation. Also, be careful not to restrict fluids during the day: dehydration concentrates the urine and further irritates the bladder.

No. This long-held fear has not been confirmed by large follow-up studies. Vasectomy does not increase the risk of prostate cancer nor that of an adenoma.

Some studies suggest a slightly protective effect of regular ejaculations on cancer risk, although the link has not been established with certainty. What is certain, however, is that abstinence has no harmful effects and that sexual activity does not worsen an adenoma.

Testosterone supplementation requires PSA monitoring and a prior clinical examination. It is not contraindicated in principle, but it requires ruling out cancer before starting, followed by regular follow-up. This decision is up to your doctor.

Rarely directly. The adenoma and erectile dysfunction mostly share common risk factors related to age: diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, smoking. On the other hand, certain treatments for the adenoma can worsen them, which must be discussed before making any decision.

No. Having an enlarged prostate does not require treatment in itself. What matters is the impact: daily discomfort, post-void residual urine, recurrent infections, and impact on the kidneys. Without these factors, simple monitoring is sufficient.

No, fasting is not necessary. On the other hand, in the preceding 48 hours, you must avoid ejaculation, intense physical exertion, cycling, and any rectal examination: each of these can raise the number and distort the interpretation.

In the absence of risk factors, testing every two years starting at age 50 is a common basis for discussion. In cases of a family history or African or West Indian ancestry, monitoring begins earlier and is more frequent. This decision is made with your doctor.

Total PSA measures all of the circulating marker. Free PSA measures the fraction not bound to proteins. It is their ratio that is useful: in the zone of uncertainty, between 4 and 10 ng/mL, a low ratio points more toward cancer, and a high ratio toward a benign cause.

It is the PSA density relative to prostate volume. A PSA of 7 in a 100-gram gland does not have the same meaning as in a 30-gram gland. This measurement avoids many biopsies Useless.

It measures volume, post-void residual, and the condition of the kidneys very well. On the other hand, it does not detect cancer: that is the role of multiparametric MRI, which locates suspicious areas. The complete report in detail

This depends on the medication and the reason it was prescribed to you. This decision is never made alone: it is reached in consultation with the doctor monitoring your treatment, during the preliminary consultation. Never modify an anticoagulant on your own initiative.

A short-haul flight is generally possible as early as the next day. For a long-haul flight, it is better to wait a few days and plan to get up regularly. Patients coming from abroad actually organize their stay accordingly. The One Week program

Walking is possible immediately. Intense activities, weight training, and especially cycling require waiting about a week, for the puncture site to heal and the pelvic discomfort to fade.

As a general rule, after about a week. Blood in the semen is common in the weeks following a biopsy or embolization: it looks alarming, is not serious, and is no cause for concern.

That is preferable. Under simple local anesthesia, driving remains possible, but being accompanied on the way back is more comfortable. In the event of sedation, it is essential to be accompanied and not to drive for twenty-four hours.

The terms of coverage depend on the facility, the procedure performed, and your situation. A detailed estimate is systematically provided to you before the procedure, during the initial consultation. Do not hesitate to ask as soon as you first make contact.

It varies depending on the reason and the location. A request accompanied by a complete file—recent PSA, ultrasound, and any imaging—is processed faster, as it allows for immediate referral to the right practitioner. Submit your application

Yes. Your reports and images can be analyzed remotely prior to any visit. This initial assessment indicates what is missing from the evaluation and which options can be considered.

Not if they are recent and of sufficient quality. They are then integrated into the curriculum after review. The principle is simple: we do not redo what has already been done well. The one-day review

This depends on the planned examination or procedure, and not on your place of residence. Consultations and imaging usually take place at the Clinique Blomet; interventions require a vascular suite. Our five sites