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What Is The Prostate Responsible For

Large Prostate With Significant Symptoms

What is the role and function of the prostate gland?

For patients who have moderate or severe symptoms that have failed medical therapy from very enlarged prostates, the optimal treatment is often surgery. For very enlarged prostates, there are four main surgical options:

  • Open prostatectomy – The surgeon makes an incision and removes some of the enlarged prostate. This is done rarely today because less invasive surgeries through the urethra work well with fewer side effects.
  • Transurethral resection of the prostate – Going in through the urethra, with the aid of a small camera, the surgeon removes tissue to open up the channel, which can help the urine flow and take some of the pressure off the bladder. Tissue is removed with bipolar energy that shaves off pieces of the prostate. While this method is less invasive than open prostatectomy, it still can have side affects, such as bleeding, infection, need for repeat resection, erectile dysfunction, and scarring.
  • Transurethral laser ablation of the prostate – This is where the urine channel is opened up using a high-powered holmium laser to vaporize the prostate tissue. Like TURP, the procedure can help urine flow and symptoms from enlarged prostate. The use of the laser may decrease the need for a catheter or reduce bleeding after the procedure. A high-powered laser that uses “Moses effect” pulses has the potential to remove the tissue more efficiently, so the procedure time can be shortened.
  • How To Explore Prostate Orgasm

    Prostate orgasm can be explored either solo or with a partner.

    If youâre trying it for the first time, you may want to begin with stimulation of the perineum. As you move backwards towards the anus, you will know youâve hit the right spot when the area under your skin feels softer and you feel an increase in sensation. You may also feel like you need to pee at the same time.

    If you want to try internal stimulation, start by inserting a well lubricated finger into your rectum. Be gentle. The prostate will feel fleshier and softer than the surrounding area.

    You can also use sex toys such as vibrators and plugs in order to achieve prostate orgasm. They may be used either internally or externally.

    Large Prostate With Few Symptoms

    Patients with very enlarged prostates may have few symptoms or mild symptoms. Doctors verify that there are no problems with kidney or bladder function. If not, they know that the enlarged prostate is not harming the body. In this case, doctors may recommend just watching the prostate or doing non-surgical treatments. Options include changing certain eating and drinking habits and urinating less often. Patients can take medications that relax the prostate, such as tamsulosin, or shrink the prostate, such as finasteride or dutasteride. Patients also may try supplements like saw palmetto to help their symptoms.

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    Natural Supplements For An Enlarged Prostate

    At Bens Natural Health, we have formulated natural supplements to improve prostate health and reduce prostate size. When it comes to managing your BPH, we firmly believe that natural is the way to go. Not only will natural remedies help to heal your prostate, relieving you of uncomfortable symptoms, but they will do so without any adverse side effects.

    Blood And Lymphatic Vessels

    Full text: prostate health awareness lecture by Dr. David ...

    The prostate receives blood through the inferior vesical artery, internal pudendal artery, and middle rectal arteries. These vessels enter the prostate on its outer posterior surface where it meets the bladder, and travel forward to the apex of the prostate. Both the inferior vesical and the middle rectal arteries often arise together directly from the internal iliac arteries. On entering the bladder, the inferior vesical artery splits into a urethral branch, supplying the urethral prostate and a capsular branch, which travels around the capsule and has smaller branches which perforate into the prostate.

    The veins of the prostate form a network the prostatic venous plexus, primarily around its front and outer surface. This network also receives blood from the deep dorsal vein of the penis, and is connected via branches to the vesical plexus and internal pudendal veins. Veins drain into the vesical and then internal iliac veins.

    The lymphatic drainage of the prostate depends on the positioning of the area. Vessels surrounding the vas deferens, some of the vessels in the seminal vesicle, and a vessel from the posterior surface of the prostate drain into the external iliac lymph nodes. Some of the seminal vesicle vessels, prostatic vessels, and vessels from the anterior prostate drain into internal iliac lymph nodes. Vessels of the prostate itself also drain into the obturator and sacral lymph nodes.

    • Microscopic glands of the prostate

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    What Is The Main Function Of The Prostate Gland

    The main function of the prostate gland is to secrete an alkaline fluid that comprises approximately 70% of the seminal volume. The secretions produce lubrication and nutrition for the sperm. The alkaline fluid in the ejaculate results in liquefaction of the seminal plug and helps to neutralize the acidic vaginal environment.

    The prostatic urethra is a conduit for semen and prevents retrograde ejaculation by closing off the bladder neck during sexual climax. Ejaculation involves a coordinated contraction of many different components, including the smooth muscles of the seminal vesicles, vasa deferentia, ejaculatory ducts, and the ischiocavernosus and bulbocavernosus muscles.

    Treatments Options For High

    The prostate is a walnut-sized organ that is part of the male reproductive system. It sits in front the bladder and above the rectum. The prostate is responsible for the production and supply of fluid that helps nourish sperm in the ejaculate. The urethra, where urine travels from the bladder to the penis, runs through the prostate.

    As a result of family history, lifestyle, diet, and natural hormonal changes, the prostate begins to grow in size as men age, starting in their mid-30s. When the prostate becomes more enlarged over time, it might press against the urethra and block urine flow . This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.

    Enlarged prostates differ in size. The size can be estimated on digital rectal exam or prostate imaging like an ultrasound. People with very enlarged prostates have several treatment options. However, size is not the only factor used to choose a treatment.

    When doctors evaluate the prostate, symptoms are just as important as size. In addition, size and symptoms don’t always correspond. For example, one person might have a mildly enlarged prostate with noticeable symptoms, while another person could have a very large prostate with no symptoms.

    All of this information is the basis of a personalized treatment plan. Here are the options for patients with very enlarged prostates, with or without symptoms.

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    The Prostate Boosts Your Sexual Capability

    Prostate gland secretions comprise a large portion of seminal fluid and proper function of the gland is crucial to sexual capability in men.

    The prostate contributes around 20-30% to the total seminal volume. The prostatic fluid contains substances that allow the sperm cells to live. One of these substances is the PSA, which makes the semen more fluid. This prostate role ensures that the sperm cells survive until it encounters an ovary to form an egg-cell.

    Providing Your Medical History

    Taking Responsibility as a Prostate Cancer Patient

    At first, the doctor will probably ask you about your medical history. Do you have any chronic illnesses? What illnesses and operations have you had in the past? What medications are you taking, if any? Your doctor is also likely to ask about your psychological well-being and lifestyle: Do you suffer from depression? Are you under a lot of stress? Do you drink alcohol? Smoke? Use illegal drugs? Have you felt a loss of affection for your partner? Have you recently grown interested in a new partner?

    As part of this health history, be prepared to tell your doctor specific details about the symptoms that brought you to the office and when they began. Your doctor might want to know how often you had sex before the problem started and if there have been weeks or months in the past when youve had erectile dysfunction. Your doctor may conduct a written or verbal screening test.

    If the cause is clear a recent operation for prostate cancer, for example the conversation may move directly to your treatment options. Otherwise, you may need to answer more questions to help the doctor narrow down the possible causes and avoid unnecessary testing.

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    What A High Psa Level Means If Its Not Prostate Cancer

    Other important components of prostatic fluid include an enzyme called prostatic acid phosphatase, citric acid, zinc, spermine and prostatic inhibin .

    During an orgasm, prostate muscles squeeze the glands stored fluid into the urethra, where it mixes with the sperm cells and other semen components.

    This expulsive process also helps propel the semen out of the body during ejaculation.

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    Side View Of The Prostate

    The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis. The prostate is just in front of the rectum. The urethra runs through the center of the prostate, from the bladder to the penis, letting urine flow out of the body.

    The prostate secretes fluid that nourishes and protects sperm. During ejaculation, the prostate squeezes this fluid into the urethra, and itâs expelled with sperm as semen.

    The vasa deferentia bring sperm from the testes to the seminal vesicles. The seminal vesicles contribute fluid to semen during ejaculation.

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    The Ingredients Of Male Ejaculate

    Contrary to popular belief, male ejaculate is not produced exclusively in the testicles. Your testicles are responsible for producing sperm cells that swim in the seminal fluid that is produced in multiple different glands in the male reproductive system. In fact, sperm cells make up only about 1% to 5% of male ejaculate by volume. The remaining 95%+ of ejaculated seminal fluid is there to help propel, feed, and protect those precious sperm cells while they seek an egg to fertilize.

    In fact, sperm cells make up only about 1% to 5% of male ejaculate by volume.

    Seminal fluid is actually produced in a variety of different locations including the testes , prostate gland , seminal vesicle , and the bulbourethral glands .If we were to use an analogy comparing the male reproductive system to a river system, the testicles would be the headwaters, the epididymus would be a small holding pond for the sperm, the seminal vesicles would be the first tributary stream, the prostate gland would be the second tributary stream, the bulbourethral glands would be the final tributary stream, and the tip of the penis would be the outflow. Strange analogy, but it works.

    Who Might Get An Enlarged Prostate

    Chronic Prostatitis and Exercise: Why Moving is Vital

    BPH is common and cannot be prevented. Age and a family history of BPH are two things that increase the chances you might get it. A few stats on that:

    • Some 8 out of every 10 men eventually develop an enlarged prostate.
    • About 90% of men over the age of 85 will have BPH.
    • About 30% of men will find their symptoms bothersome.

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    Questions You May Want To Consider Asking Your Doctor Include:

    • What type of prostate problem do I have?
    • Is more testing needed and what will it tell me?
    • If I decide on watchful waiting, what changes in my symptoms should I look for and how often should I be tested?
    • What type of treatment do you recommend for my prostate problem?
    • For men like me, has this treatment worked?
    • How soon would I need to start treatment and how long would it last?
    • Do I need medicine and how long would I need to take it before seeing improvement in my symptoms?
    • What are the side effects of the medicine?
    • Are there other medicines that could interfere with this medication?
    • If I need surgery, what are the benefits and risks?
    • Would I have any side effects from surgery that could affect my quality of life?
    • Are these side effects temporary or permanent?
    • How long is recovery time after surgery?
    • Will I be able to fully return to normal?
    • How will this affect my sex life?
    • How often should I visit the doctor to monitor my condition?
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    Prostatitis: A Common Prostate Problem In Younger Men

    Prostatitis, or prostate inflammation, is the most common prostatic and urinary tract problem for men under age 50, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases . It accounts for 2 million doctor visits in the United States each year.

    There are several types of prostatitis.

    Prostatitis caused by bacteria is known as bacterial prostatitis, and it can cause an acute or chronic infection.

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    Medication For Urinary Problems

    Your doctor may suggest various medications to help ease your urinary problems, including:

    • medications to reduce the tone of the muscles of the urethra and prostate to minimise any constriction to urine flow caused when these muscles contract
    • medication to reduce the size of the prostate gland. These medications work by blocking the action of male hormones produced by the prostate gland
    • medications to relax the bladder, making unwanted contractions less likely and reducing the symptoms of urgency and frequency of urination
    • the over-the-counter preparation ‘saw palmetto’ is sometimes used. This may help some men, especially if frequent urination at night is a problem.

    However, recent reviews of the evidence for using saw palmetto as a treatment for mild or moderate urinary symptoms did not show any improvement, compared to no treatment, in men with BPH.

    What Causes Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

    What is Prostate Disease? (Enlarged Prostate, Prostatitis and Prostate Cancer)

    The cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia is not well understood however, it occurs mainly in older men. Benign prostatic hyperplasia does not develop in men whose testicles were removed before puberty. For this reason, some researchers believe factors related to aging and the testicles may cause benign prostatic hyperplasia.

    Throughout their lives, men produce testosterone, a male hormone, and small amounts of estrogen, a female hormone. As men age, the amount of active testosterone in their blood decreases, which leaves a higher proportion of estrogen. Scientific studies have suggested that benign prostatic hyperplasia may occur because the higher proportion of estrogen within the prostate increases the activity of substances that promote prostate cell growth.

    Another theory focuses on dihydrotestosterone , a male hormone that plays a role in prostate development and growth. Some research has indicated that even with a drop in blood testosterone levels, older men continue to produce and accumulate high levels of DHT in the prostate. This accumulation of DHT may encourage prostate cells to continue to grow. Scientists have noted that men who do not produce DHT do not develop benign prostatic hyperplasia.

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    How Does Ejaculation Occur

    Sexual stimulation and friction provide the impulses that are delivered to the spinal cord and into the brain. Ejaculation is a reflex action controlled by the central nervous system. It is triggered when the sexual act reaches a critical level of excitement. It has two phases.

    • In the first phase, the vas deferens contract to squeeze the sperm toward the base of the penis and the prostate gland and seminal vesicles release secretions to make semen. At this stage, the ejaculation is unstoppable.
    • In the second phase, muscles at the base of penis contract every 0.8 seconds and force the semen out of the penis in up to 5 spurts.

    Gene And Protein Expression

    About 20,000 protein coding genes are expressed in human cells and almost 75% of these genes are expressed in the normal prostate. About 150 of these genes are more specifically expressed in the prostate with about 20 genes being highly prostate specific. The corresponding specific proteins are expressed in the glandular and secretory cells of the prostatic gland and have functions that are important for the characteristics of semen. Some of the prostate specific proteins, such as the prostate specific antigen , and the Prostatic acid phosphatase.

    In the developing embryo, at the hind end lies an inpouching called the cloaca. This, over the fourth to the seventh week, divides into a urogenital sinus and the beginnings of the anal canal, with a wall forming between these two inpouchings called the urorectal septum. The urogenital sinus divides into three parts, with the middle part forming the urethra the upper part is largest and becomes the urinary bladder, and the lower part then changes depending on the biological sex of the embryo.

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    What Is The Prostate

    The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system, which includes the penis, prostate, seminal vesicles, and testicles. The prostate is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the urethra . It produces fluid that makes up a part of semen.

    As a man ages, the prostate tends to increase in size. This can cause the urethra to narrow and decrease urine flow. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, and it is not the same as prostate cancer. Men may also have other prostate changes that are not cancer.external icon

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