THE PROSTATE
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What is the prostate? The prostate is a small gland, which is normally the size of a walnut. It tends to feel soft, smooth and rubbery in consistency and when of normal walnut size, weighs approximately 30 grams. It is part of the male reproductive system.
Who has a prostate? Men, trans women and people who were assigned male at birth have a prostate. Women do not have a prostate.
Where is the prostate? The prostate is located deep inside the pelvis just below the bladder and in front of the rectum (back passage). It surrounds part of the urethra (the pipe carrying urine from the bladder). The top of the prostate, nearest the bladder is called the base and the bottom is called the apex.
What does the prostate do?
Common Questions 1. Can I live without my prostate?
The most important function of the prostate isYes, to produce fluid called seminal fluid, a man can live without his prostate. which is part of the semen. Approximately 20-30% of the fluid may in semen comes The whole prostate be removed for from cancer or part of it when it is enlarged and the prostate and contains components that help sperm to survive. This includes causing symptoms. enzymes, zinc, citric acid and prostate specific antigen (PSA). This is an enzyme that 2. What conditions other than cancer liquifies semen that has thickened after ejaculation, thereby allowing sperm to swim can affect the prostate? more freely. PSA is made by prostate cells. • Benign (non-cancerous) enlargement
What controls the prostate?
called BPH • Prostatitis - infection or inflammation of the prostate.
Testosterone, which is made in the testicles, controls how the prostate by 3. Do biological women have aworks prostate? giving men a sex drive (libido), an erection andNo. the muscle power for ejaculation. The prostate contains an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which converts 4. How big can the prostate get? There no real upper limit. but has much testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. The latter isislike testosterone • A small sized prostate has a volume stronger and more potent effects. of 30-40ml
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• A medium sized prostate has a volume of 40-80ml In 1997, surgeons removed a 2.41 kg prostate a diameter 24 cm • A largewith sized prostate has a of volume greater than 80ml. in a 57 year old man.
FIGHTING PROSTATE CANCER - A SURVIVAL GUIDE
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