The Prostate Gland and What It Does
The prostate is a male sex gland. It needs male hormones, primarily testosterone, to function. It is about the size of a walnut and is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It produces a thick fluid that forms part of semen. The urethra, the tube that empties urine from the bladder, runs through the middle of the prostate as it leaves the bladder. As men age, their prostate increases in size. If the prostate grows large enough, it presses on the urethra. This is why urinary problems are usually the first sign of prostate problems. Usually the first thing men notice is that the flow of urine becomes weaker or slower, and they may have to urinate more often, especially at night. In the majority of cases, this has nothing to do with cancer. It is generally thought of as part of the normal aging process, and you don't have to do anything about it unless it bothers you significantly.
