For Patients · University Urology, PC
Transperineal Prostate Biopsy — Preparation & Recovery
Instructions for before and after your transperineal prostate biopsy. Following these steps reduces your risk of complications and helps ensure an accurate sample.
Before Your Procedure
How to Prepare
Take your prescribed antibiotic
An antibiotic will be prescribed before your biopsy. Take it exactly as directed.
Bowel preparation
Some of our physicians have patients use an enema to improve visualization of the prostate. You will be instructed to take an enema if this is the case for your procedure. If you have not received specific instructions about bowel prep, none is required.
Arrange a driver
You must have someone drive you home. Local anesthetic with optional sedation may be used, and post-procedure discomfort makes driving inadvisable.
Blood Thinner / Anticoagulation Medications
Contact your prescribing physician before stopping any blood thinner or anticoagulant. Do not stop these medications without medical guidance, particularly if you are on anticoagulation for a high-risk condition such as atrial fibrillation, a mechanical heart valve, or a recent blood clot.
- Aspirin — hold 7 days
- Clopidogrel (Plavix) — hold 5–7 days
- Apixaban (Eliquis) — hold 48 hours
- Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) — hold 48 hours
- Warfarin (Coumadin) — contact prescribing physician for INR guidance
After Your Procedure
Recovery & What to Expect
Normal after transperineal biopsy
Drink extra fluids after the procedure. Avoid strenuous activity for 48 hours. Most patients return to desk work the following day.
Results take 10–14 business days
Pathology is processed by an outside lab. Your provider will contact you directly when results are available. See our results & follow-up page for detail.
Call us immediately if you experience:
Call (865) 305-9254. After hours, follow prompts for on-call provider. If severely ill, go to the ER.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why transperineal instead of transrectal?
Transperineal biopsy accesses the prostate through the perineum rather than the rectal wall. This significantly reduces infection risk and allows better sampling of certain prostate regions. Bowel prep is not routinely required, though some physicians may request it — you will be instructed if an enema is needed for your procedure.
When will I get my results?
Biopsy pathology takes 10–14 business days. Your provider will contact you directly. Please do not call before this window has passed.
How long will blood in my urine or semen last?
Blood in the urine typically resolves within 1–2 weeks. Blood in the semen can persist 4–6 weeks and is completely normal — no treatment is needed.
Questions Before Your Transperineal Biopsy?
Send a Klara message or call us. Our team is happy to walk you through what to expect.