The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that surrounds the urethra—the thin tube connecting the bladder and penis through which semen and urine leave the body—and forms part of the male reproductive system. It’s responsible for producing fluid that mixes with sperm to produce semen.

Find out why it’s imperative that men take their prostate health seriously. 

Male hormones such as testosterone make the prostate continue to grow throughout a man’s life, which can sometimes lead to health issues. There are three main diseases which can affect the prostate: prostatitis which is an infection of the prostate. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), where the prostate becomes enlarged and squeezes the urethra causing problems with urination, and prostate cancer.  The risk of prostate cancer and BPH increases significantly as a man ages, but a man can develop prostatitis at any age.

Doctors should insist on tests as a man ages to check on the health of his prostate. A yearly blood test to measure the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) can be used to check for prostate cancer. Enlarged prostates can be detected with a digital rectum exam (DRE). Find out more about the prostate here.

Discover how professionals characterize benign prostatic hyperplasia here. 

BPH News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.