Diagnosing prostate diseases is not difficult or complicated. However, if we want to correctly assess the severity of prostate disease and its impact on renal function and overall health, there are several commonly used examination methods:
1. Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)
The prostate feels full, enlarged, soft in texture, with mild tenderness. In cases where the disease has persisted for a long time, the prostate may shrink, harden, have an uneven texture, and develop small hard nodules. Prostate massage can be used to obtain prostatic fluid for routine testing.
2. Prostatic Fluid Analysis
If white blood cells exceed 10 per high-power field under a microscope and lecithin bodies decrease in the prostatic fluid, prostatitis can be diagnosed. If bacterial culture is also performed, it can help make a clear diagnosis and classification of chronic prostatitis. A positive bacterial culture result indicates chronic bacterial prostatitis; otherwise, it is chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.
3. Ultrasound (B-mode) Examination
Ultrasound shows unclear and disordered boundaries of the prostate tissue structure, which can suggest prostatitis.
Through the above tests, we can diagnose, differentiate, and classify prostatitis. Additionally, based on the test results, another type of prostate disease can be diagnosed: prostatodynia. This condition presents with symptoms similar to chronic prostatitis, particularly with significant pain in the pelvic and perineal areas, but normal prostatic fluid analysis and no bacterial growth in cultures. Therefore, as specialized doctors, we recommend that patients with symptoms of prostatitis do not self-diagnose blindly. Instead, they should visit professional urology hospitals for appropriate examinations and diagnoses to guide treatment and medication use, reducing unnecessary waste.