Some persons have said the male testes (balls) is called a “testifier” it shows your testimony, that is why it is not hidden, and the Prostate gland practically prostrates before the testes aka testifier. Hilarious isn’t it?

But on a serious note, the origin of the name “prostate” is quite curious. The word is from the Greek “prostates” meaning to stand before. Herophilus the anatomist called it the prostate because, as he saw matters, it stands before the testes.

This organ which may not be as popular as the other male sexual or reproductive anatomy is an important part, other parts include the penis, scrotum, and testes.

FYI: the scrotum is the sac that houses the testes.

Now the prostate itself is an organ in the reproductive anatomy. A gland within the male reproductive system that is located just below the bladder. 

It is walnut (what the yorubas call asala) shaped, the prostate surrounds the beginning of the urethra (the pipe or tube our urine passes through), the canal that empties the bladder.

The prostate is actually not one but many glands, about 30-50 in number, between which is abundant tissue containing many bundles of smooth muscle. 

This gland however small sits directly below the bladder and plays a role in producing and fine-tuning semen. The secretion of the prostate is a milky fluid that is discharged into the urethra at the time of the ejaculation of semen.

The prostate has various functions. The most important is producing seminal fluid, which makes up part of the semen. It helps regulate urine flow and plays a role in hormone production. All this will be explained shortly

Because of its important function of urine regulation, the symptoms of prostate trouble often appear as difficulty urinating, which might include poor bladder control or weak urine flow.

Although Prostate problems are common, especially in older men – the most common include an inflamed prostate, an enlarged prostate, and prostate cancer. However, there’s been a subtle alarming rise in moderately younger men. 

As a matter of fact, as knowledge increases, there is a dire need for younger men to suspect, circumspect, discover and attack any signs and symptoms of prostatitis (swelling of the Prostate).  

I felt it is paramount to talk about this topic, because though it is claimed to be common in older men, all older men were once younger men. Also, because every man is vulnerable.

This article aims to provide awareness on prostate, an overview, physical, lifestyle and medical conditions that can affect it and behavioural changes that can help mitigate it.

Relax this is not a medical journal so don’t fret, sit tight as we ride along while I use practical  scenarios.

What is the work of the prostate?

Prostate as important as it is, is not required to live that is if one does not have a functioning prostate does not mean one will die, but it is important for fertility.

The prostate does the following:

Helps produce semen

This is the primary function of the prostate. It contributes what is called a prostatic fluid to semen about 25-30% to the total semen volume. 

You may be wondering the importance of the Prostatic fluid, well it contains components that makes the semen an ideal substance for sperm cells to live in, including enzymes, zinc, and citric acid. Sperms as important as their function is cannot just exist on their own. They need a thriving environment, that is why the Prostatic fluid is important.

Too much jargons right, ok let’s slow down. The sperm as you know is the substance that mixes with the woman’s egg before fertilization can occur right? Good! So, these sperms will die if they are not protected before the get the opportunity to fertilize the egg. As long as they are in a fluid called the Prostatic fluid, they are safe. But the Prostatic fluid does not only contain Sperms, it contains other things mentioned above too.

There are various enzymes in the Prostatic fluid but one important enzyme is prostate-specific antigen (PSA), this enzyme helps make the semen thinner and more fluid.

If you don’t get anything from this section, get this:  The fluid in semen helps the sperm travel down the urethra and survive the journey towards an egg. The semen’s’ destiny is to protect the sperm and give it safe passage to its destination. 

The semen is overall alkaline (though the Prostatic fluid is slightly acidic), this is so because the vagina is acidic so as to create a balance and protect the sperm from damage.

With all that is said about the semen, you see why it is said earlier that the Prostate, even though is not required for you to live, it is important for fertility.

Closing the urethra during ejaculation

During sexual climax in males and ejaculation, the Prostate contracts and releases prostatic fluid into the urethra. Here, it mixes with sperm cells and fluid from the seminal vesicles to create semen, which the body then expels.

When the prostate contracts during ejaculation, it closes off the opening between the bladder and urethra, pushing semen through at speed. 

This is why, under normal circumstances, it is impossible to urinate and ejaculate simultaneously. You will even discover that you may find it hard to urinate immediately after ejaculation. 

So to paint the picture better, the Urethra is a single pipe that channels two different products, from the Prostate it carries the semen, from the bladder it carries the urine.

Hormone Production

Even though the Prostate produces its own hormones, it needs androgens –  male sex hormones such as testosterone to function effectively.

The hormone that the prostate produces is important for normal prostate development and function. 

It’s so important that in the developing male, it is for the development of secondary sex characteristics, such as broad chest, facial hair and even baritone voice.

Suggested reading: Child Etiquette, Father’s Pride, Virgin Sex

WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF PROSTATE PROBLEMS?

The Prostate is said to have a problem when it grows in size. This is termed medically as BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) Big grammar yeah.

When the prostate enlarges, it presses and pinches the urethra, narrowing the urethra tube. The narrowing of the urethra and a reduced ability to empty the bladder cause many of the problems

You may ask, must it grow and will it grow in everyone and what can I do to not make it grow. The answer is yes it will grow as you get older; studies have shown that 9 to 10 in every men will have BPH by the time they are in their 80s, and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. 

Prostate problems can affect men of all ages but tends to be more common in men 50 or younger.  The condition has a number of causes, sometimes the cause isn’t identified. If it is caused by a bacterial infection, it can usually be treated with antibiotics.

Anyway, depending on the cause, it can come on gradually or suddenly, it might improve quickly, either on its own or with treatment. Some types may last for months or keep recurring such as chronic prostatitis.

If this condition persists, the bladder may become weaker and be unable to empty properly.

An enlarged prostate makes it difficult to urinate and, in rare cases, can prevent urination entirely. This is a condition called urinary retention, which requires urgent medical evaluation.

Who is at risk?

All men are at risk of prostate cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reported that in Nigeria, prostate cancer constituted 29.1% of all male cancers in 2018, less than one quarter of the rate in the United States.

The CDC posits that out of 100 American men, about 13 will get prostate cancer/problems during their lifetime, and about 2 to 3 men will die from prostate cancer. 

Prostate cancer accounts for 27% of all new cancer cases in males in the UK (2016-2018), and the statistics goes on all over for men.

The most common risk factor they say is age. The older a man is, the greater the chance of getting prostrate problems.

Whew, imagine working hard through your younger years, about retiring and enjoy the proceeds of your labour only to discover a prostate issue that’s been lurking for an unsuspected period?

Nah, God forbid.

Let’s say this problem came in the younger years (where there’s more strength than compared to old age), it may be fairer but at old age? when you are either thinking of retiring, retired or closing stocks and counting your blessings…then boom!

It is only wise that one gets to pay close attention and deal with what may be lurking around, waiting for an auspicious moment to prowl.

No wonder a warrior once called it a coward, that came at him in the night. Where’d you been when I was younger he said.

In truth, its been there. Only if he observed the signs and suspected enough to do a check.

In the next post, we shall be talking about when to really be suspiscious of some funny feelings, occurrences that may predispose to prostate related problems

Don’t forget to drop your comments, questions and updates.

See you later. Cheers!

The Nursing Father