Out of sight, out of mind – how often do you actually think about your internal organs? Including your prostate? As long as everything is working as it should “down there”, no-one really worries about their prostate or the early detection of cancer.
This is exactly why some people refer to the prostate as the “invisible organ”. It’s always out of sight, and many men can’t even feel it. But without the prostate, none of us would exist since not a single sperm would ever find its way to the female egg. This makes it a crucial part of human reproduction.
You can find out how the prostate works, how you can keep this organ healthy and reduce the risk of prostate cancer on this website.
Structure
Two lobes surround the urethra and are made up of glandular, muscle and connective tissue. This is where a component of the semen – the prostate secretion – is produced.
Firm sheath of connective tissue that surrounds the two lobes and gives the prostate its chestnut-shaped appearance.
These sit above the prostate, each open into a vas deferens and produce the bulk of the sperm: their secretion provides the sperm cells (known as the spermatozoa) with the energy they need.
During ejaculation, the sperm pass through these sperm ducts from the epididymis to the prostate or into the ureter.
Enclosed by the prostate. This is where, during ejaculation, all the components of the semen mix together: sperm, the secretion from the seminal vesicles and the prostate secretion.
Function
The main function of the prostate is to produce a portion of the seminal fluid. During ejaculation, sperm mix with the secretion from the seminal vesicles and the prostate secretion, which protects the sperm cells and gets them into action.
Furthermore, the prostate (also known as the “prostate gland”) ensures that either ejaculate or urine can flow. It surrounds the beginning of the urethra in a ring directly below the bladder. The prostate enlarges when urinating. During an erection, the upper part constricts and closes off the opening to the bladder.
In this way, the “invisible organ” plays an important role in sexual function. It supports the sex drive, enhances the intensity of the orgasm and can also stimulate itself if required. Nerve bundles that cause an erection also run directly past it.
The prostate additionally plays an important role in hormone balance. The male sex hormone testosterone is produced in the testicles. The prostate then “refines” this hormone into a more potent form, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is distributed throughout the body via the bloodstream.
Both testosterone and DHT promote the development and function of male sex organs. They are also important for the production of blood, for the growth of muscles and bones and for the metabolism.
However, DHT also ensures that the prostate, and especially the tissue around the ureter, starts growing significantly again in many men over 45 for the first time since puberty. This narrows the ureter, which can lead to less sperm during ejaculation and problems with urination.
Use and care
Many men over the age of 50 have difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate. But the good news is there’s something you can do to actively reduce the risk.
Regular exercise:
Take a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes or go for a leisurely bike ride, for example.
A balanced diet:
Preferably go for fruit and vegetables. Only eat red meat, dairy products and animal fats in small portions.
Moderate alcohol consumption:
The less you drink, the healthier your prostrate. Go for non-alcoholic alternatives.
These measures also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. They may also play a part in reducing the risk of prostate cancer.
(Un)usual changes
 | Difficulty when urinating: Often running to the toilet? Bladder never feels empty? Dripping or a weak urine stream? |
 | Sexual dysfunction: Not able to get or maintain an erection? Often experience reduced ejaculation? |
 | Pain: Unexplained severe pain in your lower back, pelvis, hips or thighs? Urination or ejaculation painful? |
These symptoms are no cause for concern yet. They may indicate a benign enlargement of the prostate common as you get older. However, you should seek medical advice to rule out the possibility of cancer. This is even more important if there’s blood in the urine or ejaculate.
Possibilities for early detection
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men. The risk increases with age, but the disease shows no symptoms for a long time. The early detection examination can help.
Men aged 45 and over can take advantage of this once a year free of charge. What to expect during the examination:
- Explanatory meeting with questions about personal medical history and any previous illnesses in the family
- Mostly painless and risk-free examination of the prostate via the rectum
- Checking the lymph nodes in the groin and the external genital organs such as the testicles
There is also the option of a PSA test (prostate-specific antigen) for men with symptoms or for self-funding patients. In this test, the PSA value is determined by a blood test. An elevated value can be an indication of prostate cancer.
Good to know
Regularly reaching orgasm could reduce the risk of prostate cancer as it ensures better blood flow to the sexual organs. And ejaculation “flushes out” the vas deferens, prostate and urethra. However, this has not yet been scientifically proven with absolute certainty.
You don’t need to worry about prostate cancer if you have an enlarged prostate, have had an HPV infection, have diabetes or are on testosterone replacement therapy. None of this increases the risk.
It’s worth taking a few minutes every year to get an early detection examination: If prostate cancer is detected early and has not yet broken through the prostate capsule, it can be cured in many cases without affecting the ability to get an erection.