Do females need a prostate exam?

Have you ever wondered, “do women have prostates”? In short, the answer is no. The primary function of the male prostate is to secrete prostate fluid, an important component of semen. However, there is a functional part of your own reproductive system that's very similar.

flo.health - Do Women Have Prostates? Female Prostate Cancer Explained

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Small glands, located on either side of your urethra and arising from the urogenital sinus, are called Skene glands. They create a link between your urethra and vagina that actually closes up during gestation. Now, let’s take a closer look at the female prostate gland and what it does.

What’s the purpose of the female prostate gland?

Similar to a man’s prostate, the Skene glands release a fluid that lubricates the opening of your urethra. Experts theorize that this fluid features antimicrobial properties and protects your urinary tract and bladder from bacterial infections. It’s uncertain whether the Skene glands drain into small ducts on either side of your urethra, or into the urethra itself. The male prostate gland is believed to store infections, keeping them under containment until your body heals itself and can protect other areas from infection. As such, it is speculated that the Skene glands serve the same purpose in women.

Does female prostate cancer really exist?

Yes and no. Technically, you cannot develop prostate cancer without an actual prostate. However, the Skene glands have been known to foster cancerous growths, adversely affecting your reproductive system, urethra, and bladder. Skene glands produce an ejaculate protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which, when found at elevated levels in men, could point to the presence of cancerous cells. This explains why the PSA hormone also shows up in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Once they receive radiation therapy, their PSA levels drop. As a result, many doctors closely monitor PSA levels during cancer treatment. That’s why the answer to “Can women get prostate cancer?” is somewhat contradictory. Cancer in the Skene glands can mimic prostate cancer in men. Fortunately, this disease is extremely rare and comprises only 0.003% of female genital cancers. It typically affects older, post-menopausal women and produces very small tumors. Treatment might include radiation therapy and removal of the glands.

Symptoms of female prostate cancer

Aside from a spike in PSA levels, there are other symptoms of prostate cancer in women to look out for. As expected, they mimic the signs of male prostate cancer, such as pressure on the bladder, a frequent need to urinate, and painful urination. Soreness in the lower pelvis, itching around the vaginal opening and urethra, painful sex, and disrupted menstrual cycles are all indicators of prostate cancer in women. Because of how rarely it occurs, patients who develop cancer in the female prostate gland are often misdiagnosed.

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