The prostate is a walnut-size gland of the male mammalian reproductive system. Its main function is to secrete and store the seminal fluid (one of the constituents of sperm). In women, Skene's glands are sometimes referred to as a female prostate. The most common problems of the prostate are benign prostatic hypertrophy, Prostatitis and prostate cancer.

The benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) - is characterized by the fact that the volume of the prostate increases. In this case, the passage of urine is made difficult. BPH thus increases the risk of urinary retention (lack of ability to urinate) and infection of the prostate. It is often linked to the diminution of the male hormone production that occurs in older people. Age increases the risk of BPH; that’s why prostate issues occur more in older males. There is a certain increase in prostate volume at 75% in men over 50 years. Clinical signs may be present in almost 100% of men over 90 years.

Conventionally, several drugs are available: doxazosin , Flomax, Proscar and Avodart. They act on the muscles that control the emptying of the bladder. More recently, drugs that reduce the level of the hormone that causes the increase in prostate volume were allowed on the market. Those available drugs have greatly helped improve the quality of life of those suffer from BPH. However, none of existing drugs so far can not cure BPH. The surgery may be necessary.

Prostatitis - is the inflammation of the prostate, a common condition in middle-age men. If the prostate grows too large it may constrict the urethra and impede the flow of urine, making urination difficult and painful, or completely impossible. Prostatitis can be acute or chronic. Acute prostatitis may be accompanied by fever, chills and urinary retention. Most of the times, the infection is caused by Escherichia coli. The chronic prostatitis is often due to the proliferation of Escherichia coli, more rarely of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in case of urogenital tuberculosis. Symptoms are chills, fever, lower back pain, body aches and frequent and painful urination.

Prostatitis is treated in several ways depending on its severity and the therapists, but most methods used are antibiotics, surgery, massage, and herbal medicine.

Prostate cancer - is the worst prostate problem men over 50 can have. Not only because the disease is painful, but also, it could cause death to the victim. The prostate cancer share similar symptoms with other prostate-related problems. Although pain in the lower back and difficulty of ejaculation are rarely present in other prostate issues.

This type of cancer develops from the tissues of the prostate when cells of those tissues mutate to multiply uncontrollably. The disease can spread (metastasize) from the prostate to other parts of the body (especially in the lymph nodes). The treatment is done by surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and sometimes chemotherapy, or a combination of these methods.

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