What do psa mean

Some men are also at greater risk for UTIs. Risk factors include having:. Talk to your doctor if you think you have a UTI. They are often treated with antibiotics. A common condition in men under 50, prostatitis is often the result of a bacterial infection. It causes swelling, inflammation, and irritation of the prostate gland. Symptoms are similar to those of a UTI, and may include:. If bacterial infection is causing your prostatitis, you may also experience flu-like symptoms and be treated with antibiotics.

Nerve damage in the urinary tract may also cause prostatitis. This can occur as a result of injury or as a surgical complication. If no infection is found, anti-inflammatory medication or alpha-blockers may be used to reduce discomfort. Some studies have looked at the effects of ejaculation on PSA levels. One study published in found that PSA levels rise in some men after ejaculation. They may remain higher than their typical baseline level for up to 24 hours afterward.

More research is needed to fully understand the effects of ejaculation on PSA levels. However, if you have a PSA test scheduled, consider abstaining from sexual activities that may result in ejaculation for 24 hours before the test. Parathyroid hormone is naturally occurring hormone produced by the body to regulate calcium levels in the blood. It may also promote prostate cancer cell growth, even in men who do not have prostate cancer. For this reason, high levels of parathyroid hormone may escalate PSA levels.

An injury to the groin, caused by a fall, impact, or accident, may spike PSA levels temporarily. Early detection may be an important tool in getting appropriate and timely treatment. Prostate cancer can cause elevated levels of PSA. However, many noncancerous conditions also can increase the PSA level. The PSA test can detect high levels of PSA in the blood but doesn't provide precise diagnostic information about the condition of the prostate. The PSA test is only one tool used to screen for early signs of prostate cancer.

Another common screening test, usually done in addition to a PSA test, is a digital rectal exam. In this test, your doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum to reach the prostate. By feeling or pressing on the prostate, the doctor may be able to judge whether it has abnormal lumps or hard areas. Neither the PSA test nor the digital rectal exam provides enough information for your doctor to diagnose prostate cancer.

Abnormal results in these tests may lead your doctor to recommend a prostate biopsy. During a prostate biopsy, samples of prostate tissue are removed for laboratory examination. A diagnosis of cancer is based on the biopsy results. For those who have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the PSA test may be used to:. Medical organizations vary in their recommendations about who should — and who shouldn't — get a PSA screening test. Discussing with your doctor the benefits, limitations and potential risks of the PSA test can help you make an informed decision.

A PSA test may help detect prostate cancer at an early stage. Cancer is easier to treat and is more likely to be cured if it's diagnosed in its early stages. But to judge the benefit of the test, it's important to know if early detection and early treatment will improve treatment outcomes and decrease the number of deaths from prostate cancer.

A key issue is the typical course of prostate cancer. You should talk to your cancer specialist about the benefits and risks of any treatment before you begin. Page last reviewed: 18 October Next review due: 18 October Should I have a PSA test?

You have a higher risk of prostate cancer if you: have a family history of prostate cancer are of black ethnic origin are overweight or obese What's a raised PSA level? A raised PSA level in your blood may be a sign of prostate cancer, but it can also be a sign of another condition that's not cancer, such as: an enlarged prostate prostatitis urinary infection How accurate is the PSA test?

Pros and cons of the PSA test Pros: it may reassure you if the test result is normal it can find early signs of cancer, meaning you can get treated early PSA testing may reduce your risk of dying if you do have cancer Cons: it can miss cancer and provide false reassurance it may lead to unnecessary worry and medical tests when there's no cancer it cannot tell the difference between slow-growing and fast-growing cancers it may make you worry by finding a slow-growing cancer that may never cause any problems Before having the test If you're having a PSA test, you should not have: ejaculated in the past 48 hours exercised heavily in the past 48 hours a urinary infection had a prostate biopsy in the past 6 weeks Each of these may give an inaccurate PSA reading.

A high PSA level can be the first sign of prostate cancer, but it can also be a sign of a less-serious condition. Find out why else you may have an abnormal PSA reading. PSA tests measure a protein in your blood called prostate specific antigen. But in the USPSTF released new draft guidelines that encourage doctors to discuss the potential benefits and harms of using the PSA test to screen for cancer in men ages 55 to The final recommendation statement is now being developed.