Breaking Silence Around Men’s Health – Prostate Function
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There are aspects of men’s health that can be rather sensitive and difficult to discuss. In fact, they are often not even talked about or acknowledged. Prostate cancer is chief among these health concerns.
Here at Man Cave Health, we aim to change this. Break the silence and stigma surrounding this subject.
In the interest of normalizing the conversation around men’s health and prostate cancer, we want to begin by informing our readership. Reaching out to as many as we can. After all, the first step in demystifying any given topic is to educate ourselves.
In this series of articles, we will be looking in-depth at prostate health. From how we can prevent prostate problems to where we can go when treatment is necessary.
Today, we will begin by defining what the prostate is and what it does.
Prostate function
The prostate is a gland. It is about the size of a walnut and weighs about 30g (or 1oz). It forms an important part of the male reproductive system and is inside the body. More specifically, it is under the bladder and in front of the rectum, surrounding the urethra.
Its primary function is to produce fluid. This fluid combined with sperm cells, and fluids from other glands, makes up semen.
The prostate is also made up of various connective tissues and muscle fibers. During ejaculation these muscles contract to push out semen at a high velocity. Then expelling semen out through the urethra.
Prostate zones
The prostate has three distinct zones, these encircle the urethra in layers:
- The peripheral zone: This tissue makes up most of the prostate, around 70%.
- The transition zone: It is on the inside of the gland. It makes up the smallest part and surrounds the urethra.
- The central zone: envelopes the transition zone and makes up a larger portion of the prostate. It makes up about 25% of the gland. This zone holds the seminal duct and vesicles.
The transition zone, in particular, can be problematic when men reach an advanced age. It is common for there to be benign growth in this area. The condition is known as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia); which means it’s non-cancerous. When the tissue grows it can place pressure on the urethra and make urinating difficult.
The peripheral zone is the area in which malignant tumors can develop. These are of very serious concern since they are cancerous.
Get in touch
If you find you are having trouble urinating, or you find yourself needing to urinate more often than usual, do not hesitate to contact a medical professional. These can be early signs of prostate cancer.
Here at Man Cave Health, we are dedicated to helping men through the arduous journey that is prostate cancer. You are not alone in this journey. We can help guide and support you.
Check our resources section for helpful information. Where you will also find inspiration from success and survival stories, or we can help you connect with a prostate cancer survivor. If you have any questions, or just want to talk, call us at our toll-free hotline: 1(833)HEAL-MEN.
