What Every Man Needs To Know About His Prostate

More and more men need to know more about their prostate health.

The prostate gland lies just below a man’s bladder and usually is the size of a walnut, but grows as a man grows older, say his early 50’s it gets to be quite large. This gland is found exclusively in men and its main function is to produce seminal fluid. This fluid nourishes and transports the male sperm.

Prostate Enlargement in Men

The enlargement of the prostate gland is not a problem for most men, but for others it can create considerable problems. An enlarged prostate gland presses on the tube which carries the flow of urine, causing discomfort and sometimes even pain while urinating. Another symptom of an enlarged prostate is the need to urinate frequently at night as well. Flow of urine can also be slowed and it produces a feeling as if the bladder has not completely been emptied.

For most men with an enlarged prostate, surgery is the only option to pass urine again normally. However a big misconception that needs to be cleared up here is that by removing the prostate, a man’s sex drive or his ability to have sex is not diminished. However, he will not be able to have anymore children.

It is important that men not feel embarrassed in visiting the doctor for a prostate problem. In most cases, prostate enlargement is not a serious problem. However, it can sometimes be a sign of prostrate cancer, a rapidly growing disease in men above the age of 50. If caught early this cancer can be successfully treated and men can go on to live healthy lives.

Although the exact causes of prostate cancer are not known, men with a family history of this disease have a higher chance of developing it. Race, age and diet can also increase the risk for developing prostate cancer.

Along with prostate cancer and enlargement of the prostate, another problem that men face is prostatitis. Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, and causes lower back pains, burning and irritation while urinating, needing to urinate more frequently, pain in the testicles and pain on ejaculation. This is more common in younger men and can be easily treated by a doctor.

With regular medical examinations especially as men grow older, and PSA (prostrate specific antigen) tests, prostate cancer can be detected early and can be successfully treated. When caught early prostate cancer is curable.

What men need to realize is that they need regular medical check ups after the age of 40, so that they can diagnose any problems with their prostate and take action to prevent other problems from occurring. Prostate problems are slow growing and can be caught and treated in time, in most cases.