Prostate Restored
Photo: Benjamin Suter
You can't touch your prostate, but you can feel it from the outside of your body (externally) or through your rectum (internally). The easiest way to feel your prostate is from the back half of your perineum, near your rectum.
What is a dangerous PSA level? PSA levels above 10 ng/mL are considered especially risky. Patients should consult their doctor immediately, as...
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between one and two tablespoons a As a general rule of thumb, between one and two tablespoons a day is a good amount of olive oil to consume. This...
Read More »Overview Your prostate creates fluids in your semen, and the muscles in your prostate help you ejaculate. What is a prostate? The prostate is a small gland that’s part of the male reproductive system. Function What does a prostate do for a man? Your prostate contributes additional fluid to your semen (ejaculate). Ejaculate is a whitish-gray fluid that releases from your penis when you orgasm. The fluid contains enzymes, zinc and citric acid, which help nourish sperm cells and lubricate your urethra (pronounced “yer-ree-thruh”). The urethra is a tube through which ejaculate and pee flow out of your body. Your prostate’s muscles also help push semen into and through your urethra when you orgasm. Do women have a prostate? No, women don’t have a prostate. Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) have Skene’s glands. However, some people refer to Skene’s glands as the female prostate gland. The Skene’s glands are on either side of the urethra. Medical researchers believe these glands may secrete fluid that helps with urination (peeing) and cleanliness. They may also have a function for sexual intercourse, possibly providing the fluid for female ejaculation. Anatomy Where is the prostate located? Your prostate is below your bladder and in front of your rectum. Your urethra runs through the center of your prostate. What does the prostate look like? Your prostate has five lobes: anterior (in the front) and posterior (in the back) lobes, two lateral lobes (on the sides) and one median (in the middle) lobe. Connective tissues and glandular tissues make up its structure. The prostatic fascia covers your prostate. Prostatic fascia is a sheet of stretchy connective tissue. How big is the prostate? Your prostate is about the size of a walnut. The prostate usually gets larger after age 40 (benign prostatic hyperplasia). It can grow from the size of a walnut to the size of a lemon. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) isn’t cancerous, and it doesn’t increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. How much does your prostate weigh? Your prostate weighs about 1 ounce (30 grams), which is as heavy as five U.S. quarters. Conditions and Disorders What are the common conditions and disorders that affect the prostate? Common conditions that affect your prostate include: Prostate cancer . Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer that affects men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). . Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer that affects men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). Inflammation ( prostatitis ) . Four different prostatitis conditions cause inflammation in your prostate gland: acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. It’s the most common urinary tract issue in men and people AMAB younger than 50, and the third most common in men and people AMAB over 50. . Four different prostatitis conditions cause inflammation in your prostate gland: acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. It’s the most common urinary tract issue in men and people AMAB younger than 50, and the third most common in men and people AMAB over 50. Benign prostatic hyperplasia. BPH causes your prostate to grow, which can cause blockages in your urethra. Almost all men and people AMAB will develop some prostate enlargement as they age. What are the warning signs of prostate problems? Common warning signs of prostate problems include: Pain in your penis, testicles or perineum (pronounced “pare-uh-nee-um”). The perineum is the area between your testicles and your rectum.
Eating more vegetables can help lower your risk of BPH. Green leafy vegetables are especially important because they are rich in antioxidants....
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Why can't the primary cancer be found? There could be several reasons that the primary cancer cannot be found: the secondary cancer has grown and...
Read More ». Some medications help relax the muscles around your prostate and bladder to help improve urine flow. Antibiotics help kill infection-causing bacteria. Stress management . Counseling for anxiety and depression can help relieve symptoms. . Counseling for anxiety and depression can help relieve symptoms. Exercises. Pelvic floor exercises can help reduce or eliminate muscle spasms. Benign prostatic hyperplasia Medications . Medications can help decrease the production of hormones that cause your prostate to grow. . Medications can help decrease the production of hormones that cause your prostate to grow. Surgery . Surgery can remove the obstructing prostate tissue that blocks the flow of pee. . Surgery can remove the obstructing prostate tissue that blocks the flow of pee. Water vapor therapy. A healthcare provider inserts an instrument through your urethra and into your prostate. The instrument emits steam vapor, which kills prostate cells and shrinks your prostate. Care How do I keep my prostate healthy? Help keep your prostate healthy by: Getting regular prostate screenings . Most people should start screenings at 50. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, it’s a good idea to start screenings at a younger age. . Most people should start screenings at 50. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, it’s a good idea to start screenings at a younger age. Exercising regularly . People who are more physically active are less likely to have BPH. . People who are more physically active are less likely to have BPH. Eating a healthy diet . Eating the recommended amount of fruits, vegetables and healthy protein may help promote prostate health. . Eating the recommended amount of fruits, vegetables and healthy protein may help promote prostate health. Quitting tobacco products. Tobacco products may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Can supplements improve my prostate health? Dietary supplements don’t have to go through clinical trials or get approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so there isn’t much data on them. Supplements may show minor benefits, but most people won’t see an improvement in their prostate health from taking them.
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Nighttime urination is very common in men over age 50 and causes significant inconvenience due to lack of restful sleep. An enlarged prostate is...
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Don't wait a long time to address difficulty peeing. After 36 to 48 hours of symptoms, it's time to seek a professional diagnosis. Jul 30, 2019
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Simple prostatectomy provides long-term relief of urinary symptoms due to an enlarged prostate. Although it's the most invasive procedure to treat...
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