The prostate gland - what is it? Functions of the prostate

The genitourinary system of man is the most important complex of organs responsible for isolating from the organism harmful products of its vital activity and reproductive function. In fact, these are two systems, closely intertwined. Therefore, problems with one constantly cause a violation of the activities of another.

Sexual differences

Everyone knows that the anatomy of a man is different from that of a woman. Especially it concerns the genitourinary system. In his body there are specific organs and glands that are responsible for erection and viability of spermatozoa.

Sex cells, spermatozoa, are formed in the testes. But on their own they would die pretty quickly. Therefore, the body produces a special nutrient fluid. The prostate gland is responsible for it . What is it, know not all. Therefore, over time, men may have problems that could be avoided by following preventive measures.

Purely masculine glands

In general, the genitourinary system of a man consists of genitals and the same excretory system as in women: the kidneys, the bladder and the urethra (urethra). Around the man's urethra, practically at its beginning, is the prostate.

It is the gland of external and internal secretion, which produces both androgynous hormones, and the secret that makes up the sperm. In boys, this gland is undeveloped. Basically it consists of smooth muscles.

During puberty prostate increases. Due to the glandular tissue , the prostate gland recruits the dimensions, the norm of which is approximately from the horse chestnut in diameter. At the end of the puberty period, its intensive growth stops. At the same time, throughout the life of the male prostate continues to grow slowly.

The role of the prostate

Like any other organ, prostate gland functions, without which the normal life of the organism would be impossible.

First, the nutritional function. It produces a special nutritional secret, which creates a favorable environment for the life of spermatozoa. Thanks to this, they remain fertile for several days.

Secondly, regulatory. Anatomy of a man a lot depends on the normal hormonal background. The prostate gland participates in the creation of this background, producing specific male hormones.

Third, the barrier function. At the time of ejaculation, a simultaneous ejection of spermatozoa from the testes and the sperm from the prostate itself occurs. To prevent urine from entering the ejaculate, the prostate blocks the sphincter of the bladder.

Fourthly, the prostate gland is responsible for a normal erection. Hormones, produced by it, serve as a signal for the onset of an erection. Therefore, one of the consequences of the disruption of the work of this gland is most often erectile dysfunction.

The main signs of the disease

With age, there are often cases when the prostate gland does not work correctly. What is it, men learn right away. They notice discomfort and pain when urinating, violation of sexual functions and many other troubles that are not accepted to speak out loud.

Diseases of this organ are often found in men with age. It is believed that how many a person is of age, this and the percentage probability of contracting prostatitis or another illness associated with prostate dysfunction.

Fortunately, not so large a list of violations to which the prostate gland is susceptible. Symptoms of the disease are noticeable almost immediately:

• Decrease in the pressure of the urine stream;
• Pain and pain when urinating;
• Pain in the lower abdomen;
• Change of color of urine;
• Frequent urge to go to the toilet, especially at night.

If a man notices even a few of them, you should immediately contact a urologist. Delay for a couple of days can complicate the process of treatment, and sometimes cause death.

BPH

Any diffuse changes in the prostate gland entail the development of diseases. One of the most common is prostate adenoma. This is an abnormal proliferation of muscle tissue in the gland, which entails partial or complete compression of the urethra.

In addition to delays in urination, this disorder causes a number of complications in the urinary system of a man. Stagnation of urine promotes the development of bacteria, the precipitation of urea into the sediment, followed by the formation of sand and stones in the bladder or kidneys. Further complications of the course of the disease can cause acute renal failure.

Unfortunately, according to statistics, with age, there is a strong increase in diameter, to which the prostate gland is exposed. Dimensions, the norm of which is several times smaller, becomes a problem after 40-45 years. Every year the risk of finding prostate adenoma increases. Therefore, do not neglect regular visits to the urologist. This ensures an easier treatment process.

Prostatitis

The prostate gland is also subject to inflammatory processes. What is it, men learn when every trip to the toilet causes them strong razors and unbearable pain. In addition, there is a constant acute pain in the area of the bladder. It is also possible to change the color of urine, in which impurities of pus or blood appear.

Treatment of the prostate gland should begin immediately. Otherwise, it threatens with severe complications and a long process of recovery and rehabilitation. Running prostatitis is the cause of impotence and infertility, which can not be cured.

Cancer

The list of complex in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases is a tumor of the prostate gland. It is easily confused with a benign growth called adenoma. But the consequences of this disease are much more dangerous.

Symptoms of prostate cancer are the same as those of other diseases. Diagnosed at an early stage, it can be cured even without surgery. In later stages, the tumor is able to give metastases to adjacent organs, which practically does not lend itself to treatment and leads to the death of a person.

The mechanisms of formation and development of prostate cancer have not been fully studied yet. There is an opinion that the adenoma is prone to degeneration into a malignant tumor. In any case, in the risk group is more than 50% of men after the age of 45 years.

Non-invasive methods of prostate treatment

Any surgical intervention in the body other than good entails a number of complications. Therefore, treatment of the prostate begins with non-invasive methods.

To begin with, a simple observation of the condition of a man is used without the use of any therapeutic methods. There are a number of people who develop the adenoma by themselves.

If there is a tendency to complicate the condition, the urologist decides to begin therapy with medicines. First of all, alpha-blockers are used. They are able to stop abnormal growth of the gland. In most cases this is enough.

With prostatitis, it makes sense to use antibiotics. The problem of treatment is that the gland itself is deep enough in the body. Therefore, therapeutic substances enter it not immediately and in small amounts. In some cases, the acute course of the disease, doctors prescribe the use of drugs through the urethra.

Surgical methods of treatment

Almost half of cases of prostate cancer treatment require surgical intervention. At an adenoma the transurethral resection of a prostate is used. This operation is performed with minimal tissue damage. During it, a part of the prostate gland is cut, which blocks the urethra. In this case, the functions of the prostate are practically not violated, and the man can continue to lead a normal sex life.

Complete removal of the gland is indicated when it detects cancer cells. Since this disease is "masked" for a benign tumor, doctors can not fully assess the degree of organ damage. Unfortunately, after such an operation, most men experience impotence and infertility.

There is another way of surgical intervention: dissection of the body of the prostate. It is used in those cases when the gland has not yet grown to critical size and has not started to put pressure on the bladder, causing stagnation of urine. The essence of the operation is that the dissection of the surgeon allows the prostate gland to become more elastic. It, in turn, does not block the urethra and does not disrupt the process of emptying the urea.

Risk group of prostate diseases

It so happened that the genitourinary system of men reacts quite sensitively to lifestyle changes. Bad habits and poor nutrition immediately make themselves felt. This is particularly noticeable in terms of changes in the functioning of the prostate gland.

First of all, diseases of this organ can be diagnosed in 4 out of 10 men after 40 years. This is due to the age-related changes in the hormonal background. If before that the person led an unhealthy way of life, his chances increase at times. But at the age of 80 years, prostate adenoma is observed in 99% of men.

Because of a sedentary lifestyle in the organs of the small pelvis stagnation of blood and lymph. This contributes to the development of pathogenic bacteria and the deposition of harmful substances on the walls of the vessels. The prostate is prone to this most because it is in its very center and is supplied with blood that has passed through other organs.

In the risk group are those men whose paternal line was diagnosed with cancer. It does not necessarily have to be a malignant tumor of the prostate. A low level of resistance to cancer is inherited. A prostate is one of the most vulnerable organs of a man.

Prevention of "male" diseases

To reduce the future risk of developing any diseases associated with the prostate, you should devote a lot of time to prevention. First you need to switch to a healthy diet. More protein and vegetable food contributes to the proper metabolism. In this case, fatty, fried foods and "food rubbish" weaken the entire body.

Sports activities prevent stagnant processes in the pelvic area. Due to this, all organs are normally supplied with useful substances, and toxins are removed from them in time.

But there are specific methods of prevention, which the prostate gland requires. What is this and what has the effect, men understand the first time. If you can not follow the whole body, you can regularly hold a prostate massage. Each man will cope with it independently. Enough through the rectum to grope for the gland and by simple manipulations to relax it and stimulate the flow of blood. For convenience, you can use special vibrating massagers.

Correct and timely prevention will save the health of a man to a very old age.