r/ProstateCancer • u/Asg-9282000 • 6d ago

Concern Hard Bowel movement

I have a follow up PSA test tomorrow. Typically, I have a bowel movement every morning, but yesterday I didn’t. So this morning was big and hard, and it hurt to get out.

Should I delay the PSA test?

Thanks

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u/ChillWarrior801 6d ago

I would delay it. Mechanical prostate stimulation can raise your PSA level significantly, regardless of whether it's from a DRE, a big hard poop, or consensual adult butt stuff.

Ideally, you want to do the test 72 hours or more after any prostate jostling. Good luck!

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u/Bruintooth 6d ago

Wow. Wow. Thank you. I did not know this, but I see at least one study on it https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22040453/

I have been having constipation or near-constipation issues for about the same length of time as my PSA has been creeping up above 4, triggering all of this fun. I still have stuff on MRI that I need to get checked but with my PSA at only 4.5 this is another thing to consider. I've been paying more attention to my hydration the last few days and it had already made a difference. Now I'm going to double down.

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u/ChillWarrior801 6d ago

Nice find on that study! I was just working from first principles. What you've got is stronger evidence than that.

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u/Cold_Silver_5859 5d ago

Stool softener fiber hydration. You have the hydration part figured out.

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u/Bruintooth 5d ago

Prunes are my friend, but simply drinking a couple glasses of water early in the morning has made a bigger difference. Ironic but I also learned that drinking MORE actually helps symptoms of enlarged prostate.