A prostate MRI scan is a common and routine way for your healthcare provider to check your prostate health. But if you’ve never had a prostate MRI, then you probably have questions about what to expect. We’re here to help you learn more.
In this guide, we’ll look at how to prepare for your prostate MRI appointment, what happens during the scan, and what to expect from your prostate MRI results. The more you know, the better prepared you will be on the day of your scan. Let’s get started.
Getting ready for your prostate MRI appointment
Preparing for your prostate MRI means knowing whether it is ok to eat, drink, and take medications as prescribed before the scan. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions for how to get ready, so be sure to follow their instructions and ask questions if anything is unclear.
What should I know about eating, drinking, and taking medications before my prostate MRI scan?
In most cases, you should be able to eat, drink, and take medications as prescribed before your prostate MRI. However, there may be some exceptions. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider to see what they recommend. Sometimes, you may be advised to avoid certain foods that contribute to bowel gas, as the presence of gas can affect the quality of the imaging.
Depending on your instructions, you may be asked to use an enema to ensure the bowel is clear before the scan. These instructions are designed to ensure the scan is successful, with the clear and detailed imaging your healthcare provider needs to better understand your condition.
What should I wear during a prostate MRI? What should I avoid?
You should wear loose, comfortable clothing to the scan, and you may be asked to change into a gown when you arrive at your appointment. Metal can interfere with your MRI results, so you will need to avoid wearing anything metal to the scan, including piercings, watches, eyeglasses, and zippers.
If you have metal implants in your body or a pacemaker or cochlear implant, you will want to inform your provider before the scan. While having metal implants does not mean you cannot have an MRI, it might mean that special steps are taken to ensure a good result from the scan and your personal safety.
How long should I plan for my MRI appointment?
You should allow plenty of time for your prostate MRI. While the scan typically takes 30-45 minutes, you’ll need extra time for check-in and preparation. Imaging centers are very efficient with their time, so you can expect your scan to be as quick and easy as possible.
What to expect during your prostate MRI scan
Knowing what to expect during your prostate MRI can help you feel less nervous and more comfortable before and during the scan. The technologist, a trained professional who will be with you during the entire scan, will explain the process and help you understand what is happening. You can always communicate with the technologist during the scan if you have questions or concerns.
Is a prostate MRI scan painful?
A prostate MRI scan is not painful or invasive. Some people have difficulty holding still during the scan, which they might see as uncomfortable. The scanner’s noise can be loud and uncomfortable, but you will have earplugs or headphones to help lessen this noise.
Some people feel claustrophobic during MRI scans, but this also depends on the type of machine being used. Be sure to tell your technologist if you feel claustrophobic during your MRI. They can suggest ways to make the experience more comfortable for you.
How will the technologist position my body for a prostate MRI?
You will be asked to lie on your back on a bed-like table for the scan. This table will slide into the scanner, where images will be taken. The technologist will help you feel comfortable by adjusting your body with pillows and supports to help you stay still during the scan.
Your positioning may include slightly elevating your legs, and your arms may be by your side or above your head. This positioning helps ensure the scan produces the most accurate available results.
What should I expect to happen during a prostate MRI scan?
During your prostate MRI scan, you will be asked to lie very still on the table. Remaining still helps the images to be as clear as possible. Your technologist may place a coil over your pelvic region, which helps the machine focus its imaging.
The MRI table will slide into the scanner, a large, donut-shaped machine. You will hear clanging and thumping noises as the machine takes pictures, but you will be offered earplugs or headphones to help lessen the noise of the scan. In some cases, a contrast dye is used to help improve the image clarity of the scan.
Why do some prostate MRIs require contrast dye? How is contrast administered?
Contrast dye is sometimes used in prostate MRIs to highlight blood vessels and small tumors that may be present. It helps distinguish between normal tissues and tissues that are not normal, providing your healthcare provider with a better understanding of your prostate health.
Contrast dye helps your healthcare provider have a better understanding of what is happening with your prostate. The dye is given through an IV line in your arm, which may feel like a small pinch and will be removed after the scan.
What happens after your prostate MRI?
After your prostate MRI, you will probably have questions about what to do next. Your scan results will help determine diagnosis and treatment, and you will be able to ask questions of your healthcare provider to better understand what the results mean.
Will I be able to leave the imaging center right after my MRI scan?
Your technologist will let you know if you can return to your normal routine right after your scan. In most cases, you may leave the imaging center right after your prostate MRI and continue with everyday activities.
Staff at the imaging center may want you to wait a little to ensure you are feeling well, especially if your MRI involves a contrast agent. If you were sedated as part of your MRI, you will need someone to drive you home, as you will still be drowsy and unable to safely drive yourself.
How long will it take to get my prostate MRI results?
A radiologist at the imaging center will review your MRI results, write a report, and then send your results to your provider’s office. Your healthcare provider will then review the report and contact you to discuss the results.
You can expect to hear about your results within about a week. Be sure to contact your healthcare provider if you have questions about the timeline for your results.
Who will analyze the results from my prostate MRI?
A specially trained doctor called a radiologist will review your prostate MRI scan. Radiologists are experts at reading medical images and spotting signs of problems like inflammation, tumors, or other changes in the prostate.
After carefully analyzing the images, the radiologist writes a detailed report explaining the findings. Their analysis can help identify whether further tests are needed or whether your provider can move forward with a treatment plan based on what the scan shows.
Understanding your prostate MRI results
After an MRI scan, you’ll find out more about the results of your MRI, and you will have a chance to discuss the outcome with your healthcare provider. The more you know about what to expect, the better prepared you’ll be when your results are ready. Here is what you’ll need to know about your MRI results.
What can an MRI reveal about my prostate health?
An MRI can reveal much about your prostate health. It can identify the size and location of areas that may be cancerous within the prostate. It can also show whether the cancer is confined to the prostate or whether it has spread to other areas of the body.
The MRI can also show non-cancerous conditions, such as if the prostate is enlarged. if inflammation is present, and to what extent. The results of your prostate MRI will help guide treatment decisions to be discussed with your healthcare provider.
What are some follow-up questions I should ask my provider about my results?
The results of your prostate MRI may feel overwhelming at first. You should feel comfortable asking your healthcare provider about the results and what they mean for your future prostate and overall health.
You may want to write down some questions so that you do not have to remember everything during your appointment:
- What are the results of my MRI?
- Did you find anything unexpected?
- Are there any signs of prostate cancer, and if yes, how bad is it?
- What treatment options are available to me? What are the side effects?
- What do people with my results usually do next?
If you have any other questions to ask your healthcare provider, please don’t hesitate to ask, no matter how small your question might seem. Remember, it’s always important for your provider to explain anything you need to know more about.
How to schedule a prostate MRI appointment with us
Reach out to us at American Health Imaging, and we’ll help you schedule an appointment at an imaging center near you today.
We’re here to help you get the answers you need.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prostate MRI
Do I need to avoid food or medications before my prostate MRI scan?
Your healthcare provider will inform you if fasting or pausing certain medications is needed, but most patients can eat and take medications as usual.
What should I wear to my prostate MRI appointment?
Wear comfortable clothes without metal, or be prepared to change into a gown provided by the imaging center.
Will I be in pain during the prostate MRI scan?
A prostate MRI is painless, although you may feel some pressure if a small coil is used or if contrast dye is needed.
Why would I need contrast dye for my prostate MRI, and how is it given?
Contrast helps highlight certain tissues more clearly and is usually given through a small IV in your arm.
Can I leave the imaging center right after my prostate MRI?
Yes, you can go home or return to normal activities as soon as your scan is finished unless told otherwise.
How long will it take to receive my prostate MRI results?
Most results are available within a few days after a radiologist reviews the images and sends a report to your provider.
What can an MRI scan show about my prostate?
An MRI can detect signs of inflammation, enlargement, tumors, or other changes in prostate structure and surrounding tissues.
What should I ask my provider after I receive my MRI results?
You should ask what your results mean, whether further testing is needed, and how the findings affect your treatment plan.