Key takeaways
- The prostate is a small gland located below the bladder. It produces seminal fluid, which is a component of semen. It also plays a role in hormone production and helps regulate urine flow.
- Conditions that can affect the prostate include enlargement, inflammation, and cancer. These can cause urinary problems such as frequent urination, urgency, weak urine flow, and difficulty starting or stopping urination.
- Doctors use tests including digital rectal exams, PSA blood tests, biopsies, ultrasound, and MRI to diagnose prostate problems.
Prostate problems are common, especially in older adults.
This article provides an overview of the prostate, including its function and structure, where it is, and what medical conditions can affect it.
The prostate is a small, soft organ. On average, it is roughly the size of a walnut or a ping-pong ball.
The prostate sits deep in the pelvis, between the penis and the bladder. It is possible to feel the part of the prostate gland by placing a finger into the rectum and pressing toward the front of the body.
The urethra, a tube that carries urine and semen out of the body, passes through the prostate. Because the prostate surrounds this tube, prostate problems can affect urine flow.
This organ is one part of male sexual or reproductive anatomy. The other parts include the penis, scrotum, and testes.
A person does not require a functioning prostate to live, but it is important for fertility. The following sections discuss the functions of the prostate.
Helping to produce semen
The primary function of the prostate is to contribute prostatic fluid to semen. The prostate contributes
Prostatic fluid contains components that make semen an ideal substance for sperm cells to live in, including enzymes, zinc, and citric acid. One important enzyme is prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which helps make the semen thinner and more fluid.
The fluid in semen helps the sperm travel down the urethra and survive the journey towards an egg, which is essential for reproduction.
Prostatic fluid is slightly acidic, but other components of semen make it alkaline overall. This is to counteract the acidity of the vagina and protect the sperm from damage.
Closing the urethra during ejaculation
During ejaculation, the prostate contracts and squirts prostatic fluid into the urethra. Here, it mixes with sperm cells and fluid from the seminal vesicles to create semen, which the body then expels.
When the prostate contracts during ejaculation, it closes off the opening between the bladder and urethra, pushing semen through at speed. This is why, in typical anatomic situations, it is impossible to urinate and ejaculate simultaneously.
Hormone metabolism
The prostate needs androgens such as testosterone to function correctly.
The prostate contains an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which
This hormone is important for typical prostate development and function. It is crucial for the development of secondary sex characteristics, such as facial hair.
A capsule of connective tissue that contains muscle fibers surrounds the prostate. This capsule makes the prostate feel elastic to the touch.
Scientists often categorize the prostate into four zones that surround the urethra like layers of an onion. The following layers make up the prostate:
- Anterior zone: This consists of muscle and fibrous tissues.
- Transition zone: This is the part of the prostate that surrounds the urethra. It is the only portion of the prostate that continues to grow throughout life.
- Central zone: This surrounds the ejaculatory ducts and accounts for
25% of the prostate’s mass. - Peripheral zone: Mostly situated toward the back of the gland, this is where most of the glandular tissue sits. Most prostate cancers form in this area.
Prostate conditions often cause problems with urination. These may include:
- bladder control problems, including frequent bathroom visits
- urinary urgency, sometimes with only a small amount of urine
- difficulty starting the urine stream, or stopping and starting the stream while urinating
- a weak or thin urine stream
Prostate problems can also cause problems with sexual function, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or, in extreme cases, kidney failure.
However, prostate cancer may not cause symptoms in the early stages.
When to contact a doctor
If a person is unable to urinate at all, they should seek medical attention immediately.
A person should see their doctor if they notice any of the following symptoms:
- pain while urinating or after ejaculation
- pain in the penis, scrotum, or the area between the scrotum and anus
- blood in the urine
- severe discomfort in the abdomen
- a weak urine stream or dribbling at the end of urinating
- fever, chills, or body aches
- trouble controlling the bladder, such as stopping or delaying urination
- inability to empty the bladder completely
- urine with an unusual odor or color
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in males after skin cancer. It affects around
On average, people receive a prostate cancer diagnosis at age 66. The
Still, they should be aware of the potential risks of testing beforehand.
Prostatitis is swelling or inflammation of the prostate. It can be acute or chronic.
Acute prostatitis is a sudden inflammation of the prostate. This can occur due to a bacterial infection. It appears suddenly and clears up quickly with appropriate antibiotic treatment.
When prostate inflammation lasts for longer, it is known as chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. If this is secondary to a bacterial infection, this
Otherwise, treatment may involve anti-inflammatory drugs, other pain relief strategies, or lifestyle changes, such as sitting on soft cushions.
An enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is the most common prostate problem in adults
When the prostate enlarges, it presses and pinches the urethra, narrowing the urethral tube. The narrowing of the urethra and a reduced ability to empty the bladder cause many of the problems linked with this condition. As this condition persists, the bladder may become weaker and be unable to empty properly.
An enlarged prostate makes it difficult to urinate and, in rare cases, can prevent urination entirely. This is a condition called urinary retention, which requires urgent medical evaluation.
Medical professionals can diagnose problems with the prostate using various types of prostate tests.
Some possibilities include:
- Digital rectal examination: During this exam, the doctor inserts a finger into the rectum and feels the prostate to detect lumps, nodules, and signs of cancer.
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA): Blood tests can assess the levels of this PSA. High levels indicate an increased risk of prostate cancer.
- Prostate biopsy: If a doctor suspects cancer, they can take a small sample of prostate tissue for testing. To do this, they insert a needle into the prostate via the rectum.
- Prostate ultrasound: Doctors may refer to this as a transrectal ultrasound. During the procedure, the medical professional inserts a probe into the rectum, positioning it close to the prostate. Doctors usually carry out biopsies with guidance from an ultrasound.
- Prostate MRI: This can show prostate anatomy in great detail, including identifying areas suspicious for cancer. New technology allows targeting of these areas through an MRI-ultrasound fusion biopsy.
The prostate is a small muscular gland in the male reproductive anatomy. It produces an important fluid that helps transport sperm and keeps them safe.
People do not need a functioning prostate to survive, but it is essential for reproduction.
If a person suspects a problem with their prostate, they can speak to a doctor for accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations.