The prostate gland is a solid, chestnut-shaped organ surrounding the first part of the urethra in the male body. The prostate gland is situated immediately under the bladder and in the front of the rectum. The prostate gland produces secretions that form part of the seminal fluid during ejaculation. The ejaculatory ducts from the seminal vesicles pass through the fluid during ejaculation. The ejaculatory ducts from the seminal vesicles pass through the prostate gland to enter the urethra. The prostate gland weighs only a few grams at birth. Enlargement starts at puberty from the effect of androgen hormones and stops at around the age of 20, when it reaches its adult weight of about 20 grams. In most men, the prostate begins to enlarge further after the age of 50. The prostate gland consists of two main zones; an inner zone (which produces secretions responsible for keeping the lining of the urethra moist) and an outer zone (which produces seminal secretion). Prostatic problems very rarely occur before the age of 30. Prostatitis (which is inflammation prostate is usually caused by bacterial infection and usually affects men in their 30's and 40's but can occur later in life. Enlargement of the prostate usually affects men over 50, and may interfere with urination by compressing the urethra. It is usually called benign prostatic hypertrophy, an increase in the size of the inner zone of the prostate.
Sign and symptoms usually develop gradually as the enlarging prostate compresses and distorts the urethra. For the amount of urine is obstructed, and there is difficulty starting urination and there is a week stream. Initially the bladder muscle becomes overdeveloped to force urine through the obstructed urethra. Eventually the bladder is unable to expel all the urine and becomes distended, causing abdominal swelling. There may be incontinence due to overflow of small quantities of urine, and the bladder may become overactive, resulting in frequency of urination.
