Prostate Princess

Prostate Information and Problems

Hey guys! This is my first post, I would like to talk about what the prostate is, what the common diseases are and eventually the treatment options available for each condition.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system. The gland is made of two lobes, or regions, enclosed by an outer layer of tissue. The prostate is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder, where urine is stored. The prostate also surrounds the urethra, the canal through which urine passes out of the body.

While the prostate is essential to reproduction, it is not necessary for sexual activity. Scientists do not know all the prostate’s functions. One of its main roles, though, is to squeeze fluid into the urethra as sperm move through during sexual climax. This fluid, which helps make up semen, energizes the sperm and makes the vaginal canal less acidic.

There are three categories of common ailments associated with the prostate:

1. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is an enlarged prostate
2. Prostate cancer, a common cancer that responds best to treatment when detected early, and;
3. Prostatitis, which is an infection and/or inflammation of the gland and categorized below:
   • Category I – Acute bacterial Prostatitis – an acute infection of the prostate gland,
   • Category II – Chronic bacterial Prostatitis – recurrent infection of the prostate gland,
   • Category III Chronic nonbacterial Prostatitis – also known as “chronic pelvic pain syndrome” or CPPS,
   • Category IIIa Inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome – white blood cells in prostatic fluids,
   • Category IIIb Non-inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome – no white blood cells in prostatic fluids, and
   • Category IV Asymptomatic inflammatory Prostatitis – No symptoms but inflammation seen on biopsy or white blood cells seen in prostate fluids.

The onset of prostate symptoms include:

• A frequent and urgent need to urinate, especially during the night,

• Trouble starting a urine stream. You may feel the need to rush to the bathroom only to find it difficult to start urinating,

• A weak urine stream,

• Producing only a small amount of urine each time you urinate,

• The feeling or urge to urinate when you have just finished,

• Leaking or dribbling of urine after completion; and

• Small amount of blood in your urine.

• Erectile Dysfunction

Action to take if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:

Should you have any of these symptoms, regardless of your age, please see your physician right away, mostly to rule out cancer. As with any form of cancer, early detection of the disease means more treatment options and a higher cure rate.

Once cancer has been ruled out, you can pretty much take your time in researching your options and deciding on the best course of action for you. I intend for this site to provide links, references, encouragement and support to those facing any of these conditions.

Please feel free to add your comments to mine!