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Hemospermia following transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy: a prospective study

Abstract

Hemospermia is known to be associated with transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-PB). The true incidence of hemospermia, its duration and implications are not well established. We performed a prospective observational study involving patients undergoing TRUS-PB for suspected prostate cancer at our institution. Sixty-three eligible men were included in the study. Most men (84%) undergoing TRUS-PB, who were able to ejaculate, experienced hemospermia, which was associated with some degree of anxiety. The mean duration of hemospermia was 3.5 (±1.7) weeks. The number of ejaculations before the complete resolution of hemospermia was 8 (±6.7). None of the clinical and pathological factors was a significant predictor of the duration of hemospermia. Patients should be adequately counseled before TRUS-PB to avoid undue anxiety and alterations in sexual activity.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by Jackson Memorial Hospital Foundation and Mr Vincent A Rodriguez.

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Correspondence to M Manoharan.

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Manoharan, M., Ayyathurai, R., Nieder, A. et al. Hemospermia following transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy: a prospective study. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 10, 283–287 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500955

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500955

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