The urethra, which connects the bladder and penis, runs through the center of the prostate, allowing urine to exit the body. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that is situated between the bladder and the penis, just in front of the rectum.

During ejaculation, the prostate squeezes the fluid that feeds and shields sperm into the urethra, where it is expelled as semen along with the sperm.

The seminal vesicles, which also supply fluid to semen during ejaculation, receive sperm from the testes via the vasa deferentia (plural: vas deferens).

Prostate Conditions

• Antibiotics are usually used to treat prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate that can occasionally be brought on by an infection.
• Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate, is a condition that almost all men over the age of 50 experience. BPH symptoms, which include difficulty urinating, tend to worsen with aging.
• The most prevalent type of cancer in men (aside from skin cancer) is prostate cancer, which can be treated with surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. Some men choose to postpone treatment, a strategy known as watchful waiting.

Prostate Tests

• Digital rectal examination (DRE)An enlarged prostate, lumps or nodules of prostate cancer, or tenderness from prostatitis may occasionally be found using a DRE, which involves a doctor inserting a finger into the rectum while wearing lubricant and gloves.
• Prostate-specific antigenProstate-specific antigen (PSA): The prostate produces a protein called PSA that can be measured by a blood test; if PSA is high, prostate cancer is more likely; however, an enlarged prostate can also cause a high PSA. Consult your doctor about whether you need testing and the potential benefits and risks of doing so.
• Prostate ultrasound (transrectal ultrasound)To check for prostate cancer, an ultrasound procedure is frequently combined with a prostate biopsy.
• Prostate biopsyUsually through the rectum, a needle is inserted to remove tissue from the prostate to be examined for prostate cancer.

Common Problems

These are a few instances of prostate issues that are not cancerous:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia,or BPH, denotes an enlarged prostate without cancer and is very typical in older men. BPH treatments include:

Acute bacterial prostatitisThe majority of cases can be treated with antibiotics, but you may also need medication to help with pain or discomfort. Most cases start suddenly from a bacterial infection; if you have fever, chills, or pain in addition to prostate symptoms, see your doctor right away.

Chronic bacterial prostatitisis a rare condition that is difficult to treat and is characterized by recurring infections. Talk to your doctor about other ways you can improve your health besides taking long-term antibiotics.

Chronic prostatitis,It can cause pain in the lower back, the groin, or the tip of the penis. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome, another name for this common prostate issue, can also cause pain in these areas.

Be sure to discuss potential treatment side effects with your doctor.

Symptoms of Prostate Problems

• Frequent urge to urinate
• Numerous nighttime urination needs that require getting up
• urine or sperm with blood
• Pain or burning urination
• Painful ejaculation
• Frequently occurring discomfort or stiffness in the lower back, hips, pelvis, or thighs
• Dribbling of urine

Prostate Cancer:

• • Age.Men over the age of 50 are at higher risk.
    • Race.Men of African American descent are most likely to develop prostate cancer, followed by men of Hispanic and Native American descent, and men of Asian American descent.
    • Family history.Prostate cancer is more likely to affect you if your father or brother already has it.
    • Diet.Men who consume a lot of fat may have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.