The prostate gland is a soft, tiny organ. It’s around the size of a walnut or a ping-pong ball on average. It usually weighs roughly 1 ounce (30 grams) and is soft and smooth to the touch.
It is located deep in the pelvis, between the penis and the bladder. Placing a finger inside the rectum and pressing toward the front of the body allows you to feel the prostate gland. The urethra, which transports urine and semen out of the body, goes through the prostate. Because of this, problems with the prostate might influence urine flow since it surrounds this channel.
What does the prostate do?
Although the prostate is not needed for living, it is necessary for reproduction. The function of the prostate includes:
Helping to produce semen
The prostate’s primary function is to supply prostatic fluid to semen. The prostate contributes 20–30% of the liquid in the total semen volume. The remaining 50–65% comes from the seminal vesicles and the testicles (5%).
The prostatic fluid contains enzymes, zinc, and citric acid, making semen a suitable substance for sperm cells to dwell in. In addition, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an important enzyme that helps make the semen thinner and more fluid.
Semen fluid aids sperm in traveling through the urethra and survive the journey to an egg, which is required for reproduction. Although the prostatic fluid is slightly acidic, the rest of the semen is alkaline. This is to safeguard the sperm from damage caused by vaginal acidity.
Closing the urethra during ejaculation
Prostatic fluid is squirted into the urethra when the prostate contracts during ejaculation. It subsequently combines with sperm cells and seminal vesicle fluid to form semen, which the body then excretes.
When the prostate contracts during ejaculation, the space between the bladder and urethra closes, allowing semen to pass quickly through. This is why, in normal anatomic conditions, urinating and ejaculating at the same time is impossible.
Hormone metabolism
The prostate requires androgens for it to function correctly, which are male sex hormones like testosterone.
The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase is found in the prostate and transforms testosterone into the physiologically active form dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone is necessary for the correct development and function of the prostate. In addition, it is essential in the development of secondary sex traits, such as facial hair, in the developing male.
Symptoms of prostate problems
Urination and bladder control issues are common in men with prostate disorders. It may include:
- bladder control issues, such as frequent toilet visits
- urinary urgency, even if only a tiny amount of urine is produced
- difficulties initiating or halting the urine stream during urinating
- a urine stream that is faint or thin
Sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and renal failure can all be caused by prostate problems in the most difficult situations.
If a person can’t urinate at all, they should seek medical help immediately.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should see your doctor:
- discomfort while urinating or after ejaculation
- blood in the urine, pain in the penis, scrotum, or the area between the scrotum and the anus
- severe abdominal pain dribbling or a weak urine stream towards the end of urinating
- fever, chills, or body aches
- urinary problems, such as stopping or delaying urination,
- inability to properly empty your bladder
- urine with an unusual odor or color
Tips on Keeping Your Prostate Healthy
Maintain a Balanced Diet & Exercise
Exercising and having green, leafy vegetables are a significant starting step toward a healthy prostate, even if they aren’t your favorite portion of any meal. These vegetables are high in vitamins and antioxidants that keep you — and your prostate in particular — healthy.
Avoid burnt meats while filling your plate with these lush greens. PhIP, a chemical molecule generated when meat is charred, is thought to be linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Get Some Sun
Put on your sunscreen and get some vitamin D. Prostate cancer can be increased if you don’t get an adequate amount of sun exposure. The sun provides us with a significant amount of vitamin D, which is an excellent approach to lower your risk of prostate cancer.
Vitamin D is also beneficial to our health in other ways. It benefits your heart and keeps your kidneys and pancreas in good shape.
Get Screened
Depending on whether you’re in a high-risk or average-risk group, different prostate cancer screening recommendations apply. Starting at the age of 40, you should consider getting examined for prostate cancer if you are in a high-risk group. Men who are at average risk should start getting screened at the age of 55.
Screening could either include a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. You may be a candidate for the prostate health index test if your PSA level is higher than normal and you have a normal digital rectal exam. This blood test is comparable to the PSA test; however, it yields more specific results. The decision to start screenings should be made in consultation with your doctor.
Prostate Supplements
Using prostate supplements can also help keep the prostate healthy. Supplements like VitalFlow are made up of natural chemicals. It works naturally to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by addressing all of the disease’s fundamental causes rather than simply the symptoms it creates. As the body ages, a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) begins to convert. As the body ages, more DHT plagues the system.
When it comes to assisting in the maintenance of your prostate’s good health, the formula is calculated and adjusted to deliver the best possible results. And after putting over 144 organic items to the test, VitaFlow supplements ended up with the top three ingredients:
- Saw palmetto berry – which effectively improves prostate health and decreases BPH symptoms by balancing hormones in the body.
- Japanese mushroom trio – Maitake, Shiitake, and Reishi mushrooms are included in the Japanese mushroom blend. Excess DHT, which causes BPH, is effectively removed by the mushroom trio.
- Graviola leaf – leaf from the Graviola fruit or soursop which has shown anticancer benefits for prostate cancer.
They also added:
- Cat’s claw – responsible for cleaning the blood and lowering inflammation by eliminating dangerous chemicals-boosts immunity, protecting the body from diseases such as cancer, arthritis, ulcers, and viral infections.
- Tomato fruit powder – packed with nutrients like antioxidants, beta carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C, it is also a good source of lycopene, which has anti-carcinogenic properties of its own. Tomato fruit powder also has potent antiviral qualities that help the body fight viral illnesses.
- Pygeum africanum bark – The bark of Pygeum Africanum has antifungal effects. It aids in the treatment of BPH symptoms as well as general prostate health. Furthermore, the Africanum bark relieves inflammation-related pain.
Furthermore, it also contains natural green tea and broccoli extracts. According to the Journal of Synthetic Chemistry, these extracts contain exceptionally potent and essential elements necessary for prostate health. Selenium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B-6, Zinc, Copper, and Plant Sterol Complex are also added to help enhance the support of your prostate even more.
