Prostate massage, sex and PSA testing

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Ron Dans - 26 Aug 2006 22:14 GMT

At a recent medical exam my PSA came back at 7.0. The practitioner
suggested re-testing in a few days and abstaining from sex. bike riding
and horseback riding for 72 hours before the test. A few other medical
people that I consulted said that they had never heard about this
specific connection.... I followed her instructions and the second test
(at a different lab a week later) was 8.5.

Since the second test I have been under treatment (dietary, exercise,
supplementation) for chronic susceptibility to infections and
inflamations (parasympathetic system compromised from extended periods
of stress). I got retested a third time about 4 weeks into the
treatment (once again abstaining from sex for 72 hours before the test)
(at the same lab as the second test) and the reading was 8.0.

My questions are:

1. Can there be substantial random variability in test results in a
short time period and/or so much variability between between labs?

2. Any well documented connection between PSA readings and
sex/excercise?

3. I'd like to know if there has been any evidence of a connection
between prostate massage and elevated PSA?

Reply to this Message

NC - 27 Aug 2006 20:09 GMT

> At a recent medical exam my PSA came back at 7.0. The practitioner
> suggested re-testing in a few days and abstaining from sex. bike riding
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> 3. I'd like to know if there has been any evidence of a connection
> between prostate massage and elevated PSA?

Did your practitioner say anything about a biopsy? Elevated PSA is a cause
for concern. Maybe you should go to sci.med.prostate.cancer with your
questions.

Reply to this Message

c palmer - 29 Aug 2006 13:23 GMT

My questions are:
1. Can there be substantial random variability in test results in a
short time period and/or so much variability between between labs?

====> yes, depends on which type of test they are using. it is
advisable to use the same lab for the test to standardize your results.

2. Any well documented connection between PSA readings and sex/exercise?

======> yes, there is plenty of information on the internet regarding
this fact.

3. I'd like to know if there has been any evidence of a connection
between prostate massage and elevated PSA?

=====> whether it is sex, prostate massage or certain types of exercise
that will put pressure on the prostate. this will cause the prostate to
output a higher than normal psa into the blood stream, which is why you
were advised to refrain from those activities.

while your readings are something for concern, you didn't give your age.

younger age with this type of psa reading might suggest prostatitis,
while the same psa reading in the old male might suggest pca.

you need to discuss your options with your health care provider....

hope this information helps,

~ curtis

knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional
"Many more men die with prostate cancer than of it. Growing old is
invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so."
http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc

Reply to this Message

facetime - 18 Sep 2006 23:25 GMT

I have been told the following:

PSA levels will be elevated if:

1) You have prostatitis
2) You have had an ejaculation within 72 hours of the test
3) You have had a DRE within 72 hours of the test

Indeed once I scored a 7.0 on the test.. was called back and retested and it
was 2.4. I had had sex the morning of the first blood test. Doctor said
never have sex before a blood test for PSA.

I currently have acute prostatitis and the doc would not even do a PSA
because he said it would be a waste of time... as prostatitis in and of
itself elevates PSA.

Good luck.

Reply to this Message