What symptoms can accompany an elevated PSA level?
If a disease of the prostate is the cause of an elevated PSA level, other symptoms may accompany it. Which symptoms these are depends on the nature of the disease. An inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) usually leads to severe pain.
Fever and chills can also occur. A prostatitis caused by bacteria should be treated by administering an antibiotic, which usually reduces the PSA level and the accompanying symptoms. Another common cause of an increase in PSA levels is benign enlargement of the prostate (beninge prostate hyperplasia), which can particularly affect older men.
The accompanying symptoms are usually problems with urination. The prostate gland surrounds the part of the urethra lying in the body and can push it off when it becomes enlarged. In addition to prolonged and difficult urination, many men complain of a feeling of incomplete emptying and a more frequent urge to urinate.
Patients with an enlarged prostate often have to get up several times a night to go to the toilet. In contrast, prostate cancer, the cause of an elevated PSA level, often has no accompanying symptoms at all in its early stages. Sometimes the first symptoms are severe bone pain, for example in the back, which can occur when the cancer has already spread to the bone. However, benign causes, such as signs of wear and tear, are much more likely to be responsible for back pain. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, if PSA levels are elevated and back pain is present, prostate cancer should also be considered as a cause and an X-ray image taken if necessary.
How can the PSA level be reduced selectively?
An elevated PSA level is usually a result of disease or damage to the prostate. To effectively lower the PSA level, the most important measure is therefore to treat the underlying disease. If the inflammation of the prostate gland is caused by bacteria (bacterial prostatitis), the appropriate measure would be to take an antibiotic.
Once the disease has healed, the PSA level usually drops again. Before the next PSA level is determined, activities that can increase the level, such as cycling, should also be avoided. Sexual intercourse and masturbation should also be avoided about two days before the determination, because ejaculation can also increase the PSA level.
Furthermore, the PSA level can be effectively lowered if you pay attention to your diet. In addition, certain drugs such as anti-inflammatory painkillers (ibuprofen, aspirin) lower the PSA level. However, these medications may only be taken over a longer period of time if prescribed by a doctor. An increased PSA level alone does not constitute an indication for treatment with medication.
