Mens Health (cont.)

The prostate is a unique male organ. It is located beneath the bladder and connects it to the penis. Its function is to produce part of the seminal fluid that is alkaline, which helps lengthen the life span of semen when it enters the vagina. The prostate also has involuntary muscles that contract to help expel semen during ejaculation.

A common condition in men that is part of the normal aging process is benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH or enlarged prostate). The urethra is a tube that passes through the prostate and drains the bladder. A man with an enlarged prostate (BPH) often has difficulty emptying the bladder because the urethra is being compressed by prostatic tissue. This compression of the urethra makes it difficult for the bladder to generate enough pressure to overcome the obstruction (enlarged prostate). Over time, the bladder itself begins to weaken making urination even more difficult.

Symptoms of BPH include:

• Urinary frequency (urinating more often)
  
  
• Urinary urgency (the feeling that he has to empty the bladder urgently or risk wetting himself)
  
  
• Urinary hesitancy (difficulty starting the urine stream)
  
  
• Urinary straining (requiring more pressure or bearing down to empty the bladder)
  
  
• Poor urine stream and dribbling

Treatment of BPH (which may include medications or surgery) depends upon the man, any underlying medical conditions, and the severity of symptoms.

Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/mens_health/article.htm