Body & health

Prostate

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Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.

Definition

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland below the bladder, in people typically assigned male at birth, that makes part of the fluid in semen.

At a glance

  • The prostate is a walnut-sized gland below the bladder that makes part of the fluid in semen.
  • It wraps around the urethra, so prostate changes often show up as changes in urination.
  • The prostate commonly enlarges with age, which can cause a weak stream or night-time urination.
  • Other conditions include prostatitis (inflammation) and prostate cancer.
  • Urinary changes are best discussed with a doctor rather than assuming the cause.

In detail

The prostate wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. Its fluid helps nourish and transport sperm. Because of its position, changes in the prostate often show up as changes in urination.

The prostate commonly enlarges with age, which can cause a weak stream or needing to urinate more often at night. Other conditions include prostatitis (inflammation) and prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers in older men. Anyone noticing urinary changes should talk to a doctor rather than assume the cause.

In a sentence

  • My dad saw his GP about getting up at night to pee, and the doctor checked his prostate.
  • The health campaign encouraged men over a certain age to ask their doctor about the prostate.

Where the word comes from

From Greek prostates, meaning one who stands before, a reference to the gland's position in front of the bladder.

Common questions

What does the prostate do?

It produces part of the fluid in semen, which helps nourish and carry sperm. Because it surrounds the urethra, it also affects how urine flows.

Does an enlarged prostate mean cancer?

No. The prostate commonly enlarges with age, and this is usually not cancer. However, urinary changes can have several causes, including prostate cancer, so they should be assessed by a doctor rather than assumed to be part of ageing.

Related terms

Sources

  1. NHSProstate problems
  2. MedlinePlusProstate Diseases