The prostate is a small walnut-sized gland situated at the base of the urinary bladder and anterior to the rectum in male individuals. It is an essential component of the male reproductive systems that manufacture semen, which facilitates the movement of sperm.
Structure and Operation
Position: The prostate wraps the urethra, which is the passage responsible for excretion of urine as well as ejaculatory fluid from the male.
Purpose: The prostate’s most important role is the production of a secretion that constitutes a large part of the semen. This secretion serves the purpose of protecting and providing energy to the sperm in the course of reproduction.
Typical Problems Associated With The Prostate
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) – The prostate becomes enlarged in this condition, which results in urinary symptoms such as inability to initiate urination, decreased urine stream, and increased frequency of urination particularly at night.
Prostatitis – The term refers to the inflammation of the prostate that can either be due to an infection or other reasons. It may present with pelvic pain, painful micturition, and other systemic symptoms such as those seen in the flu.
Prostate Cancer: This is the second most prevalent cancer among men and cancer of the prostate gland develops insidiously and does not present with any early symptoms. Prevention remains the best treatment for this disease as it improves the chances of survival.
Symptoms of Prostate Problems
The symptoms of the respective condition may differ from one patient to another. They include;
Frequent urination or urgency
Difficulty urinating or a weak urine stream
Pain during urination or ejaculation
Blood in urine or semen
Pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvic area
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of prostate disorders can be made in the following ways:
Digital rectal examination (DRE): In this method, the regular healthcare provider will check the prostate for any abnormalities.
Prostate-Specific Antigen Test (PSA): This is a blood test that checks for the PSA in blood, which is a protein that is usually found in low levels but can be present in high amounts in conditions like prostate cancer.
Diagnostic Imaging: Ultrasounds, MRI, or CT scans, and other imaging techniques may be carried out.
Therapeutic Approaches
The approach towards treatment is dictated by the illness or condition being treated and its severity:
BPH: It may involve making some changes in lifestyle, use of medications, or performing certain operations to ease symptoms.
Prostatitis: For instance, in the case of bacterial prostatitis treatment with antibiotics will be advantages, other treatments will concentrate on alleviating symptoms such as pain and inflammation.
Prostate Cancer: Distant spread of the cancer may dictate wait and watch, operative, radiative or hormonal treatment, closer to active treatment modalities.
Conclusion
Prostate health is an essential component of male reproductive health. Understanding potential problems and doing routine examinations will aid in the early spotting of such troubles for better treatment. Where there are insecurities regarding prostate health, seek a medical expert’s professional guidance on screening and recommendations.
