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• Method 1 of 2: Touch your prostate with your finger
• Method 2 of 2: Identifying potential prostate problems

The prostate is a walnut-sized organ in men that plays a major role in sperm production. The easiest way to locate the prostate is to gently insert your index finger into your rectum. Whether the procedure for locating the prostate is part of a medical examination (to be done by a doctor) or for sexual pleasure - it doesn't matter; the same precautions should be taken. You should also watch for signs of possible prostate problems and contact your doctor if necessary.

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Method 1 of 2: Touch your prostate with your finger

1. If you would like a medical examination of your prostate, see the doctor. Doctors do not recommend self-examination of the prostate. An "untrained finger" is unlikely to accurately recognize signs of a problem, and there is a small but significant risk of damage to the rectum or prostate.
   • Talk to your doctor to determine if a DRE (digital rectal exam) is needed to check your prostate.
   • Check your prostate if you are over 40, have a high risk of prostate cancer, or if you have symptoms of an enlarged or infected prostate.
   • If sexual pleasure is the reason you want access to your prostate, take all the precautions described in this article and work very slowly and carefully.
2. Take a shower and thoroughly clean the area between your buttocks. Use soap, water, and a soft washcloth to best cleanse the area, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. The cleaner you feel "there", the less self-aware you will be when it comes time to put your finger in.
   • Do not use a rough washcloth or brush, scrub too hard, or try to go too deep into your rectum as this can damage the delicate tissue in that area. Just accept that it is not possible to get this area 100% clean.
3. Trim your nails and put on a sterile latex glove. Use nail clippers and a file to make sure your nails don't have sharp or jagged edges - this is especially important for the index finger you'll be using. Wash and dry your hands and put a sterile latex glove on the hand you will be using.
   • Even if you just want to put a finger in your own rectum, it's best to play it safe and wear a glove.
   • If you are wearing a ring on the index finger you will be using, remove it.
4. Apply a lot of petroleum jelly - or another lubricant you already had - to your index finger. Doctors usually use petroleum jelly for this procedure, but other lubricants (such as KY gel) will also work fine. In any case, put a generous dollop of your lubricant on your index finger!
   • Your entire index finger should be covered from the tip to the bottom knuckle.
5. Lie, or stand, in a comfortable position for optimal access to your rectum and prostate. In a clinical setting, a doctor will likely have you lie on your side with your knees pulled up. However, it can be difficult to get to your own prostate from this position. You can also stand and bend over so that your buttocks stick out back.
6. Relax your rectum as much as possible. Do your best to stay calm and relaxed as your rectum will naturally be tense when you insert your finger, especially if it's a new experience for you. It will be harder and perhaps more uncomfortable to get to your prostate when you tighten your rectum.
   • When you are at home, it is best to put on some relaxing music and / or do some deep breathing exercises first.
7. Insert the tip of your gloved and lubricated index finger into your rectum. Work slowly and gently, trying to stay calm and relaxed. Stop as soon as your first knuckle - that is, the knuckle closest to your fingertip - is in your rectum.
   • While there are sexual stimulants specifically designed to stimulate the prostate, use your finger for the first few times until you feel comfortable with the process.
8. Point your finger (without bending it) between your belly button and your penis. Instead of going straight into your rectum, your finger should bend forward to get to your prostate. Do not bend your knuckles, but adjust the angle of your entire finger so that it points in the right direction.
9. Push your finger in a little deeper until you feel your prostate. Your second knuckle will also likely go in before your fingertip reaches your prostate. Upon contact, the prostate should feel soft and smooth and you may feel like you need to urinate for a moment.
   • During a DRE, a doctor will gently feel your prostate for about 5-10 seconds, checking for lumps, growths, or other irregularities.
   • For sexual pleasure, you can gently massage the prostate with your fingertip. It may take a few seconds, maybe even a few minutes or more for you to experience enjoyable results, but you will know right away when it happens!
   • In some cases, your finger may not be long enough to reach the prostate - this happens to about 6% of doctors doing a prostate exam.
10. Slowly pull your finger back and discard the glove. When you're done with your prostate, take the time to slide your finger out of your rectum. Once it's out, grab the top of the glove and pull it out with your other hand so that it ends up inside out. Throw the glove in the trash and wash your hands.

Method 2 of 2: Identifying potential prostate problems

1. Check for symptoms of an enlarged prostate, which you usually recognize by how you urinate. Many men, especially those 50 and older, suffer from an enlarged prostate (a condition called BPH or BPE). In most cases, this is not caused by cancer, and many men have no symptoms. If you do recognize one or more of the symptoms listed below, please contact your doctor:
   • Floppy jet while urinating.
   • The feeling that your bladder has not emptied completely.
   • Difficulty starting to urinate.
   • Dripping of urine after you have finished urinating.
   • Need to urinate more often, especially at night.
   • Sudden urge to urinate which can lead to leakage of urine before reaching the toilet.
   • Take a research test to assess your symptoms here: https://www.bostonscientific.com/content/dam/bostonscientific-anz/patients/downloads/Enlarged_Prostate_Symptom_Score_Questionnaire.pdf.

   Warning: If you have significant urination problems or are unable to urinate at all, seek immediate medical attention so that immediate action can be taken to remove the obstruction.

   
   
2. Stay alert for additional symptoms of prostate problems. In some cases, the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate can indicate other prostate problems, such as infections, chronic prostatitis (prostate pain), or cancer. These conditions are often more serious than BPH / BPE alone, so look out for the following symptoms (in addition to those for BPH / BPE):
   • Blood in your urine or semen.
   • Pain or burning when you urinate.
   • Painful ejaculation.
   • Frequent pain or stiffness in your lower back, hips, pelvis or rectum, or in your thighs.
3. Get tested and treated after consultation with your doctor. If you have prostate problems, and especially if you have possible symptoms of prostate cancer, your doctor or urologist will likely perform a digital rectal exam (DRE), a PSA blood test - or both. From there, they can recommend ultrasounds, CT scans and / or a prostate biopsy to arrive at a diagnosis. While you should always play an active role in health decision making, don't take expert medical advice lightly.
   • Some studies indicate that the DRE is not a perfect test for prostate cancer as it can be difficult to reach the front of the prostate, but most experts still consider it a valuable test.
   • In some cases, even if you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, your medical team may recommend a "wait and see approach." This is because some types of prostate cancer spread very slowly and the risks of side effects from treatment (such as problems with the urinary tract and sexual function) are quite high.