Prostate Problems and Disorders

Prostate or prostate gland is an organ about the size of a walnut which is situated below the neck of the bladder, encircling the urethra. Prostate gland plays a very important role in the male reproductive system. Its main function is to produce the seminal fluid which is crucial for the motility of sperm. Besides that the alkalinity of the seminal fluid also helps to neutralize the acidity of the vaginal tract and thus prolonging the lifespan of the sperm. Besides its role in male reproductive system prostate is also responsible for carrying urine from the bladder.

In a healthy adult man prostate is about the size of a walnut but in majority of men the prostate starts to enlarge after age of 50 years. The prostate enlargement also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy is relatively common and often does not cause any health problems. However, when prostate enlarges to the point that it causes pressure on the urethra and bladder it disturbs normal urination and if not treated it can result severe health problems including bladder and kidney failure.

Besides benign prostate hypertrophy men after 50 years of age and older men are also at greater risk of prostate cancer which is one of the most frequent causes of death of older men in developed countries. Prostate cancer does not result any symptoms and can be detected only with regular rectal exams and blood tests known as the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). Very common prostate disorder is also inflammation of the prostate gland known as prostatitis which often caused by infection with pathogenic bacteria which spread from the urethra. The infection can occur through sexual contacts but can also occur after exercise with a full bladder. Prostatitis requires immediate medical treatment, while its symptoms usually include low back pain, pelvic pain, fever and sometimes difficulty or painful urination.

Since prostate enlargement and other prostate diseases are very common and the number of men with prostate problems is rapidly growing it is very important to take care of your prostate health even if not having any symptoms of a prostate disorder. Over 50% of men after age of 60 has either problems or symptoms of prostate enlargement and 90% of men are affected by prostate enlargement after age of 70 years, while prostate cancer is one of the most frequent causes of death of older men in the developed countries. For that reason all men should take care for prostate health even before reaching the age of 50 years although it is never too late to change one's lifestyle.