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The prostate is small, but mighty: this walnut-sized gland plays a central role in men's health. It influences not only fertility and urine flow, but can also develop serious conditions. In this blog post, we explain everything important about the prostate, its functions, and why regular screening from age 45 onward is so crucial.
What Is the Prostate and What Does It Do?
The prostate sits directly below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. It produces a special secretion that keeps sperm mobile and protects it. Without this prostatic fluid, successful fertilization would hardly be possible. Most of the seminal fluid consists of prostatic secretion.
In addition, the prostate's muscles drive the expulsion of semen during ejaculation. It is therefore essential both for sexual function and for urination.
What Happens with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?
As men age, the prostate grows in most men due to hormonal changes, changes in life circumstances, and the calcified healing of inflammation that has occurred over the course of a lifetime. This benign enlargement of the prostate is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is not life-threatening, but it can significantly affect quality of life.
Typical symptoms
- Frequent urination, especially at night, because the prostate presses against the bladder
- A weak urine stream, because the urethra runs through the prostate and is compressed by the enlargement
- A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
Benign prostatic hyperplasia can be treated.
The earlier BPH is detected, the easier it is to treat.
How Can Prostate Cancer Be Detected Early?
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Germany. In its early stages, it often causes no symptoms – which is exactly why screening is so important!
Risk factors
- Age over 50
- Family history
- An unhealthy lifestyle
Early detection methods
- Digital rectal examination
- PSA test (measuring prostate-specific antigen in the blood) – here, the trend of the PSA value across multiple tests over time is particularly significant
- Ultrasound, though this can only detect larger changes
- The greatest certainty in early diagnosis is currently offered by a prostate-specific MRI examination
Regular checkups can save lives – with timely diagnosis, the chances of a cure are very good.
What Is Prostatitis (Prostate Inflammation)?
Prostatitis can be acute or chronic. It is often very painful and should always be evaluated by a urologist.
The causes of prostatitis are often rooted in certain intimate practices between partners, when these take place without protection. Anal intercourse ranks first here, as it involves a large number of bacteria that the urethra's immune defences cannot fend off.
An untreated acute prostate infection can turn into a chronic one, which is then very difficult – if not impossible – to treat, since medications carried through the bloodstream penetrate the spongy structure of the prostate only very poorly.
Typical symptoms
- Burning during urination
- Pain in the perineum or lower back
- Fever (in the acute form)
- Pain/burning during ejaculation
- Unusual fatigue and weakness
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on the typical combination of symptoms, sometimes combined with specific pathogen testing and tracking of the PSA value.
Treatment
Antibiotics, pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs and, if needed, physiotherapy.
Why Is Prostate Screening So Important?
Early detection of prostate conditions is the key to successful treatment – and thus also to protecting sexual function. Germany's statutory health insurance covers annual screening examinations from age 45 onward.
Recommended screening examinations
- Digital rectal examination
- PSA value testing
- Ultrasound of the prostate
Tip: even without any symptoms, you should go for prostate screening every year – the earlier it's detected, the more treatable it is!
A Small Gland, a Big Impact
The prostate is more than just an "obstacle of getting older". It influences fertility, sexuality, and urinary function. Take care of your prostate in good time – your future self will thank you.
