Consequences of prostate biopsy are quite rare. Some symptoms disappear in the first 2-3 days after the procedure. If you follow doctors' recommendations, monitor your antibiotic intake and adhere to your diet, the likelihood of complications occurring is quite low.
Causes and types of possible complications
Immediately after the procedure, the patient is placed in the recovery room for 2-3 hours. If no complications are identified during this time, the patient will be discharged home. Before this, the doctor will prescribe prophylactic antibacterial drugs to avoid possible infectious or inflammatory complications. You will need to take the medications for 2-5 days.
Most often, complications after a prostate biopsy occur due to unscrupulous preparation and violation of established restrictions, or in the presence of chronic diseases. The most dangerous factors:
- diabetes;
- weak immune system;
- taking drugs that suppress the immune system or steroids;
- resistance to antibiotics, neglect of taking them during the recovery period;
- violation of the recommended regimen and diet during the recovery period.
The most common complications that occur are:
- problematic urination;
- discomfort in the rectum;
- the presence of blood in the discharge (urine, feces, semen);
- increased body temperature;
- infection.
Problematic urination
Problems with urination occur in 1.5% of cases. This is a temporary consequence that goes away without any intervention. However, if the delay lasts more than 8 hours, you should consult a doctor.
Discomfort in the rectal area
One of the common complaints is discomfort in the rectum. In each individual case, sensations may manifest themselves differently. This symptom is not a complication and goes away on its own. To relieve discomfort, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed.
Blood in urine, stool, semen
These complications occur in patients with hereditary bleeding disorders and in those who take anticoagulants on a regular basis.
Bleeding after prostate puncture is the most likely complication. It can be manifested by the presence of blood in the discharge - urine, feces and semen.
There may be blood in the urine after a prostate biopsy for 2-3 days after the procedure. However, in each individual case, the duration of the symptom may vary. The color depends on the amount of blood - from pink to dark brown. This complication occurs in 15% of patients.
Hematospermia (blood in semen) after puncture occurs more often - in 33% of cases.
The most rare complication – blood in the stool – occurs in 1-2% of subjects. The duration also does not exceed several days.
In case of severe bleeding or bleeding that does not stop after 4 days, you must inform your doctor about this.
Temperature increase
The temperature after a prostate biopsy may remain elevated for 2-3 days. This symptom also normalizes on its own.
However, values of 37.5-38 °C or prolonged elevated temperature may indicate purulent or inflammatory processes in the prostate gland or urinary tract. In such cases, other symptoms will be noticeable.
The emergence of infectious diseases
To reduce the risk of bacteriuria, bacteremia, fever and urinary tract infections after puncture, prophylactic antibiotics are prescribed. In 90% of cases these are fluoroquinolones, unless the patient has resistance to them.
Septic complications after prostate biopsy occur in 2-4% of cases, most often due to the penetration of bacteria from the intestine. In 1% of cases, bacterial prostatitis may develop after this (can be determined by characteristic symptoms). However, this complication is most often caused by a violation of antibiotics and occurs extremely rarely.
Recommended mode
After the procedure, you must follow a special regime. It is important to avoid any physical activity for the next 6 hours after the examination. You can walk, stand, sit and lie, however, you should avoid going to the gym and heavy exercise for 10-14 days.
You can take a shower at a low water temperature. However, baths and saunas are prohibited for 14 days, because an excessive increase in body temperature can cause inflammation.
After the puncture, you cannot massage the gland and transrectal ultrasound of the prostate.
Most recommendations after a prostate biopsy relate to diet and sex life.
Nutrition
Therapeutic nutrition after prostate puncture is prescribed for a period of 2 weeks. Restrictions are necessary to ensure that irritation or constipation does not occur in the gastrointestinal tract, because this can negatively affect the restoration of normal prostate function. Alcohol is also prohibited because it can cause bleeding.
First of all, it is recommended to drink at least 2.5 liters of water daily. The diet limits the intake of fatty, spicy, fried and smoked foods, as well as legumes, rye bread and pastries, and cabbage. It is recommended to eat light soups, increase the amount of vegetables and fruits, as well as foods rich in fiber in the diet. Carbonated drinks and coffee should be replaced with compote and weak tea or chicory.
Consequences for sex life
In the first week after the procedure, you should avoid sexual intercourse and masturbation. You can have sex after 7 days; moreover, this is recommended because it helps get rid of damaged cells. However, you cannot use drugs to increase potency and prolong sexual intercourse.
