Prostate Biopsy: What to Expect
A prostate biopsy takes tiny samples of the prostate to check them under a microscope. It is usually quick and done with numbing medicine. Your care team will tell you which approach you are having.
Before your procedure
- Take any antibiotics exactly as prescribed — before and after, without skipping doses.
- Follow any bowel-prep or enema instructions you were given.
- Take only the medicines your care team approved. If you take a blood thinner, aspirin, or a supplement and were not told what to do, call the office — do not stop anything on your own.
- Arrange a ride if you were told you will receive sedation.
There are two common approaches. Transrectal takes samples through the wall of the rectum. Transperineal takes samples through the skin between the scrotum and anus. Both use ultrasound to guide the needle.
The day of
The biopsy usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Your care team numbs the area, then uses a thin ultrasound probe to guide several small needle samples. You may feel a quick pinch or pressure with each sample.
You go home the same day. Take it easy for the rest of the day.
The first few days
It is normal to see:
- Blood in the urine for a few days.
- Blood in the stool for a day or two (with the transrectal approach).
- Rust, brown, or red color in semen that can last several weeks.
- Mild soreness in the area.
Drink extra water to help flush the bladder. Finish all your antibiotics. Avoid hard exercise for a day or two.
The first few weeks
Blood in the semen can last for a few weeks and may look dark or rusty. This is expected and fades on its own.
Your care team will discuss the results with you at a follow-up. Bring your questions to that visit.
When to call your care team
Call the office number on your discharge paperwork right away, or seek emergency care, if you have any of these:
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or shaking chills — this is the most important warning sign after a prostate biopsy and can be a sign of infection that needs prompt care
- You cannot urinate at all
- Heavy bleeding or large clots in the urine or stool
- Worsening pain in the belly or pelvis, or feeling generally very unwell
If you have chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or another life-threatening emergency, call 911.
MyUrologyCare — Prostate BiopsyRead or reprint this guide at: myurologycare.org/procedures/prostate-biopsy.html
Educational only — not medical advice and not a substitute for your care team. Follow your own discharge instructions. Call the office number on your discharge paperwork with questions. For an emergency, call 911.