What is the prostate?
The prostate is a gland located under the bladder and surrounds the urethra, i.e. the tube which carries the urine from the bladder through the penis and out of the body. The prostate gland weights approximately 15g and has the shape of a nut. Despite its size though, the prostate’s role is crucial. The prostate gland is part of man’s reproductive system. In particular, it contains some muscles that help the semen to be excreted during ejaculation. Moreover prostate’s role is to provide a necessary liquid in order the ejaculation process to function well. This liquid also assists in the nutrition of sperm as well as in the transportation of it; thus it’s extremely important for the reproductive health of men and the process of conception.
However, this small gland causes very often problems to men, particularly to middle aged ones. These problems include infection of the prostate known as prostatitis, hyperplasia of the prostate and prostate cancer. The prevalence of these urological problems is extremely high; in fact, prostatitis affects 1 out of 2 men, hyperplasia 2 out of 3 men at the age of 65 and above and prostate cancer 1 out of 5 men.
Warning symptoms of prostate problems
According to our doctors’ experience, the following signs should ring the alarm bells for patients.
- Partial obstruction of the urine flow;
- The urine stream is weak, delayed or paused;
- Annoyance during urination, annoyance in the urethra;
- Frequency; urinating more or less often than normal;
- Urgency; the feeling that urine cannot be controlled;
- Drops at the end of urination;
- A feeling that the bladder is not completely emptied;
- Haematuria i.e. blood in the urine; and
- Pain at the base of the penis.
Men should be careful and do often tests as, in many cases, there might be no symptoms at all even for years, despite the fact that the problem exists and grows. As the doctors suggest there are some general tips that men should pay attention to; thus if any change in the normal urination habits are noticed, concerning the amount, colour, and/or frequency, the patient should seek the assistance of an urologist-andrologist.