1: The Prostate

THE PROSTATE 1

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? Yes, a man can live without his prostate. The most important function of the prostate is to produce fluid called seminal fluid, The whole prostate may be removed for which is part of the semen. Approximately 20-30% of the fluid in semen comes 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 can affect the prostate? liquifies semen that has thickened after ejaculation, thereby allowing sperm to swim more freely. PSA is made by prostate cells. • Benign (non-cancerous) enlargement called BPH What controls the prostate? • Prostatitis - infection or inflammation of the prostate. 3. Do biological women have a prostate? Testosterone, which is made in the testicles, controls how the prostate works by No. giving men a sex drive (libido), an erection and the muscle power for ejaculation. 4. How big can the prostate get? The prostate contains an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which converts There is no real upper limit. testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. The latter is like testosterone but has much stronger and more potent effects. • A small sized prostate has a volume of 30-40ml • A medium sized prostate has a volume i of 40-80ml • A large sized prostate has a volume greater than 80ml. In 1997, surgeons removed a 2.41 kg prostate with a diameter of 24 cm in a 57 year old man.

Why does the prostate grow?

For most men, the prostate grows as a normal part of the ageing process. This enlargement is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Because the prostate surrounds part of the urethra (the pipe through which urine is expelled), an enlarged prostate can squeeze the urethra. This causes the urethra that is inside the prostate to be narrowed, thereby causing some of the common symptoms men experience as they get older. This is covered in more detail later. This growth of the prostate is not cancer.

Some common comparisons to help assess prostate size

Walnut

3.4 cm diameter Approx 20cc

Ping Pong Ball

4 cm diameter Approx 33cc

Golf Ball

4.3 cm diameter Approx 40cc

Clementine

5 cm diameter Approx 65cc

Tennis Ball

6.7cm diameter Approx 150cc

Common Questions

Can I live without my prostate?

Yes, a man can live without his prostate. The whole prostate may be removed for cancer or part of it when it is enlarged and causing symptoms

What conditions other than cancer can affect the prostate?

• Benign (non-cancerous) enlargement called BPH • Prostatitis - infection or inflammation of the prostate

Do biological women have a prostate?

No

How big can the prostate get?

There is no real upper limit • A small sized prostate has a volume of 30-40ml • A medium sized prostate has a volume of 40-80ml • A large sized prostate has a volume greater than 80ml