Prostrate Definition

The prostrate is actually a gland in the body of a male. It is a bladder like organ, like the urinary bladder, except that it produces the seminal fluid. Seminal fluid is the milky white fluid that gives volume to the ejaculate and nourishes sperm while being transported outside the male genitals. 

The prostate gland sits right in the middle of the ureter, the tube that carries urine from the urinary bladder to the penis. To borrow a phrase from the Mayo clinic, the ureter actually passes through the prostate like a tube that passes through the hole of a dough-nut. The prostate thus encloses the ureter at one portion. 

Although the term prostate in itself refers to the gland, in general parlance prostate refers to some problem with the prostate. This problem can range anywhere from loss of control of the urinary bladder and slow dribbling urination to full fledged prostate cancer. 

Generally any problems with the prostrate means a swelling of the prostate gland technically called prostatitis. When the prostate swells up, it will start to constrict the ureter that passes through it, reducing the diameter and forming a bottleneck. While mild cases of prostate enlargement will only result in a slow dribble at the end of urination, more serious cases will result in a total inability to pass urine. This can also lead to other, consequential problems like urinary tract infections and even kidney problems, if left untreated. 

Nobody knows why exactly prostate problems occur in men. Statistically the chances of men developing problems with their prostate are very low until they reach 40 yrs of age. By the time they are 60 though more than half of all men would have developed some form of prostate problems or the other. 

The kind of treatment you seek depends on your level of problems with your prostate. Many men who have mild problems do not even seek medical council because their condition is not bad enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. It is however good to go and get yourself checked, even if you do not want to pursue any treatment because you can at least rule out more serious issues like prostate cancer.