Pay very close attention because this video
might just save your life – no, really! If you’re one of the four billion men in the
world, you’ve got a prostate - And if you don’t know what signs to look for, that humble organ
can be a ticking time bomb for one of the most unpleasant yet common types of cancer out there.
So, you’re probably wondering, what exactly is a prostate? Why can’t you have sex without
it? Where can you find it? And just what the heck does any of this have to do with walnuts?
Derived from the Greek expression ‘prostatēs’ meaning ‘the one who stands before”, the prostate
itself is an unassuming gland about the size of a walnut. It can weigh around an ounce on
average and is usually soft to the touch. Oh, that’s another thing; despite it being located
internally, it’s entirely possible to feel the prostate gland. But if you’re a little squeamish
or just big on personal hygiene, then you might not like exactly how that’s accomplished.
The prostate itself is found sitting deep within the pelvis, alongside a clutch of several
other organs that work similar jobs. Think of it like a weird little office in your lower abdomen.
Located directly above is the bladder - a hollow organ held in place by various ligaments. As
you probably already know, the function of the bladder is to store… ahem, ‘liquid waste’
otherwise known scientifically as urine. When functioning normally, the walls of the organ
expand to store urine and will later contract, flattening the inside in order to empty the
bladder through the urethra, which is a tube that carries that waste out of the body. The urethra
is roughly twenty centimeters long and runs all the way through other organs to expel urine or
bodily fluids, which we’ll return to in a moment. Internally, a man’s urethra also passes
through their prostate, while the upper part of their prostate – called the base –
rests against the lower neck of their bladder, and the gland itself sits above the muscles of
the pelvic floor. Much like those, the prostate is also home to smooth muscle fibers. Right behind
the prostate is the rectum, and yes, this is what we meant before about not liking the method
involved in physically feeling the prostate. Given its location next to the rectum –where
food and solid waste are stored at the end of the large intestines – it is possible to touch
the prostate gland from within the rectum. Various branching ducts make up the prostate,
and these flow into the urethra at the point where that tube passes through the gland.
Remember that Greek phrase from before? Well, the ‘one who stands before’ actually describes
the position of the prostate, as it stands before the urethra reaches the bladder.
So, that’s where you can find this walnut-sized gland, but what is made of? It’s
not an… actual walnut, right? Slow down there, this one is actually a pretty simple nut
to crack. Actually, on second thought, that sounds painful… poor analogy.
Surrounding the prostate is a capsule made up of smooth muscle fibers, and there are
also a number of similar muscle cells within the gland itself. There is also elastic connective
tissue around it, which is why it can feel rubbery to the touch whenever a doctor performs an
examination. The tissues of the prostate gland are divided into four different zones which
surround the urethra. Think of it like an onion (or an ogre); there are several layers around
the center where the urethra passes through. Right in the middle of the muscle fibers and
connective tissue is the transition zone, the inside of the prostate gland. This
is the smallest of the four parts, accounting for only around ten percent of it.
The transition zone is the area that directly surrounds the upper third of the urethra as it
passes from the bladder through the prostate. Around that transition zone is the central zone,
which takes up around a quarter of the overall mass of the prostate. Then, the peripheral
zone surrounds that and makes up the main tissue mass of the prostate gland, around 70%.
Okay, so it’s a little bit like an onion and a walnut, but what the heck does a prostate
actually do? Is it another one of those weird, useless organs like the appendix? Well, the
prostate gland actually has multiple functions, and being so close to key organs involved
in the digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems means that if it isn’t operating the
way it should, it can cause some major problems. The prostate has its own roles to play in
both the urinary and reproductive systems, with one of the key functions being the
production of fluid that makes up semen. Whoa, hold on now, I bet you thought that
it was only the testes that did that. Well, that’s partially true. The testes are what
produce sperm cells. But isn’t that the same thing as semen? Actually, no.
Sperm is only one part of semen, making up only around 5% of it. Around 20%
to 30% is produced in the prostate. This is called prostatic fluid, which combines with
the aforementioned sperm cells from the testes, as well as other secretions released by
a separate, much smaller gland below the prostate called the bulbourethral gland, which is
usually the size of a pea. The seminal vesicle, which is located in the pelvis, also adds
seminal fluid into the mix, and this accounts for about 50% to 65% of what makes up semen.
You might not have realized it, but semen isn’t just a single substance; it’s a concoction of
various different bodily secretions that all mix together. Why? Well, it’s all to allow sperm cells
to travel. Think of it like a bus for those cells, but made out of liquid. The prostatic
fluid makes semen an ideal substance for sperm cells to survive in, filled with zinc,
citric acid, and enzymes, including one very important one called prostate-specific antigen.
This helps make semen thinner and more fluid, allowing it to carry sperm down the urethra
so that it can make its journey toward an egg, where it can begin fertilization. Interestingly,
prostatic fluid is slightly acidic, but the other components of semen make
it alkaline to counteract the acidity of the vagina and protect sperm from damage.
The combined liquid contains various enzymes, including the aforementioned prostate-specific
antigen and a hormone-like substance known as spermine, which controls sperm cell motility
– in other words, it helps the tadpoles swim upstream. These various fluids are then mixed
together in the urethra. This is what makes the prostate so important; its function
affects the release of sperm-laden semen, making it pivotal in male fertility.
While this is undoubtedly the most important function of the prostate, aiding the
production of semen is not the only job it has when it comes to reproduction. Remember how
we said the prostate has muscle fibers? Well, that’s because the prostate isn’t just
responsible for producing fluids but also forcefully pushing the resulting semen into
the urethra and then expelling it outwards. That’s how men experience ejaculation. The
prostate’s muscle cells contract and this squirts the prostatic fluid stored in the gland
out and into the urethra. There, it is mixed with the sperm cells from the testes, as well as
the seminal fluid from the seminal vesicles, causing all those different fluids to mix,
combining as semen, which the body then releases during intercourse at the point of orgasm.
Would you believe it, those still aren’t the only ways that the prostate contributes to
reproduction. When the muscles contract during ejaculation, they aren’t just combining all the
various fluids into semen and pushing it out, but that same contraction also shuts off
the opening between the bladder and urethra, pushing semen through while making it anatomically
impossible for a man to urinate and ejaculate at the same time. After all, that’d be embarrassing
at best and pose a danger of infection at worst. Working in tandem, the bladder’s sphincter muscle
also closes the portion of the urethra leading up to the bladder, which prevents semen from
going the wrong way and entering the bladder. That covers how the prostate functions during
reproduction, but this Swiss Army knife of a body part still has a few other different functions.
With all it has to do, you might be wondering just what keeps that walnut going. Well, the
prostate needs hormones known as androgens, which include the likes of testosterone,
in order for it to function correctly. Testosterone is produced by the Leydig cells
located in the testes in men. Women also produce their own testosterone from the ovaries, with
small quantities also being produced by the adrenal glands. When testosterone encounters
the prostate, an enzyme called five alpha reductase converts into a biologically
active form known as dihydrotestosterone, which is needed in order for the prostate
to develop and function normally. In a man, this is also what triggers the development of
characteristics like facial hair during puberty. On top of all that, the contracting of the
prostate can also close the seminal ducts during urination. Whenever someone with a
prostate needs to relieve themselves, the muscles in their prostate’s central zone will shut
the prostate’s ducts so that liquid waste doesn’t enter the parts of the prostate responsible
for the production of prostatic fluids. Going back to the different areas of the prostate,
did you know that it can experience changes in size as a man gets older? For the most part, this
is entirely normal, with the gland undergoing two growth phases. The first of these takes place
during puberty when the prostate reaches its walnut size that we’re now so familiar with.
The second phase occurs when a man reaches their mid-twenties and, from this point, continues
to grow throughout the remainder of their life. This further growth in old age can lead to
problems caused by an enlarged prostate. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the medical term given
to this condition. As the word ‘benign’ suggests, this isn’t often harmful, although it
can certainly lead to a fair share of problems. Given that the transition zone tissue
is located closest to the urethra, if this tissue presses against the tube against the bladder, then
it can cause issues when it comes to urinating. This is a common problem among older men,
and someone with an enlarged prostate might experience the feeling of having a constantly full
bladder even after they have urinated. Sometimes, it can lead to experiencing a more frequent urge
to pee, or it can weaken or interrupt the stream during urination. Other symptoms can range from
having to push or strain in order to relieve oneself or experiencing pain while urinating.
Sometimes, an enlarged prostate is completely asymptomatic. Often, those who do experience
symptoms just chalk them up to growing old. This can come from a place of embarrassment or
even concern that symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia might be indicators of worse
prostate-related conditions. But having an enlarged prostate is in no way the same as
having prostate cancer – and believe us, we’ve got a whole section on that coming up; that’s
the one that can seriously threaten your life. Benign prostatic hyperplasia also has no influence
over the likelihood of developing prostate cancer. A person can experience both simultaneously, but
while they can coexist, they are entirely separate conditions that require different treatments.
One in four men aged between fifty and sixty have an enlarged prostate, with less than half
of those aged seventy and up experiencing any symptoms. Nobody is exactly clear on what actually
causes an enlarged prostate to develop. However, it could be that, given the prostate requires
testosterone to function and our bodies produce less as we get older, these changes in
testosterone levels as we age could be the cause. However, there is also the possibility of
cell changes, particularly in the testes, that may also be what leads to benign prostatic
hyperplasia, as those who have had one or more of their testes removed do not develop the condition.
Although a direct cause is yet to be determined, being severely overweight or having a family
history of enlarged prostates may significantly increase the risk of developing such a problem.
Fortunately, while an enlarged prostate can be uncomfortable and the symptoms won’t disappear
on their own, it is a treatable condition. Making adjustments to one’s diet can lead to the
shrinking of an enlarged prostate. It’s even been suggested that some natural remedies can also
help, including soy, green tea, grass pollen, and saw palmetto. If that all sounds like
alternative medicine, then take a look at China, where men have far higher quantities of soy in
their diets than men living in the Western world. China has 56% fewer reported cases of benign
prostatic hyperplasia than the United States. Green tea, which is also popular in China, is rich
in antioxidant properties, which could potentially reduce the risk of another far more dangerous
prostate condition that we’re about to get into. Beyond maintaining a healthier diet and more
active lifestyle, benign prostatic hyperplasia can also be treated through medication, as well
as surgically removing a part of the prostate, or what are known as prostatic urethral lift
implants. However, contrary to the popular misconception around it, not all treatments
for an enlarged prostate affect libido. Some anti-testosterone drugs prescribed to help with
the condition – such as finasteride – are linked to certain dysfunctions, but only in less than
ten percent of those using these medications. Despite not being a serious condition in and
of itself, some of the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia can become far worse
over time and can even lead to more severe problems like a thickening of the bladder wall,
urinary retention, severe bladder infections, and even the possibility of kidney failure.
While benign prostatic hyperplasia doesn’t usually affect many people under forty, there
is another condition relating to the prostate that can affect younger men. Prostatitis
is the inflammation of the prostate gland, and approximately half of all adult men will, at
some point, receive treatment for this condition. This might also not be the really deadly condition
we mentioned, but prostatitis can cause intense pain during urination or ejaculation, as well
as feeling the urge to go more often. It can also lead to difficulty urinating or even
cloudy or bloody urine, as well as further pain in the groin, abdomen, perineum, or privates.
Bacterial prostatitis can occur when bacteria from the urine leak into the prostate. In addition
to the already nasty symptoms we mentioned, this can also manifest similarly to the flu.
However, far more common is chronic prostatitis, or chronic pelvic pain syndrome, which is
not caused by bacteria. What does? Well, worryingly, that’s not actually known.
Some researchers believe it could be caused by microorganisms, nerve damage
to the pelvis (where the prostate is), chemicals in the urine, or even the immune
system responding to a urinary tract infection. Luckily, antibiotics are an effective treatment,
at least for bacterial prostatitis. As is also the case with benign prostatic hyperplasia, there
are medications that can make urination easier for patients with prostatitis. Anti-inflammatories
can also be used to ease the pain it causes. But there’s one perpetually concerning and
ever-present danger to men relating to their prostates, and fair warning, it’s not a pleasant
topic: prostate cancer. After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the number one most
common cancer among men in the United States. As well as being common, it is also
highly deadly, being the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths after lung cancer.
Remember when we said this video might just save your life? Well, listen closely.
Prostate cancer occurs when malignant tumors develop within the peripheral zone of the
prostate. The cells that form prostate cancer usually grow slowly, with some people living
their entire lives totally unaware they ever had this form of cancer. Much like benign prostatic
hyperplasia, this cancer largely affects men in their fifties or older, a large percentage of whom
already develop some form of prostate enlargement. One in 25 patients in this demographic will
die, but things are improving. With the aid of treatment, eight out of ten prostate cancer
patients can now survive for longer than a decade. One of the most insidious things about it,
however, is that prostate cancer can be hard to detect, sometimes not causing any symptoms
at all. It doesn’t always affect urination, especially in the earlier stages, so someone
might not know they have developed prostate cancer until the disease has advanced. There isn’t
one proven reliable indicator that someone may have this form of cancer, especially as benign
prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis share many symptoms that not only affect the prostate
but can occur alongside prostate cancer. This is important: if you experience any
problems with urination, abdominal pain, or any of the symptoms mentioned in this video,
then consult your doctor. It might feel like an embarrassing discussion to have with another
person, but medical professionals are there to advise you. Chances are, you might be fine;
even if you’re experiencing symptoms, there’s no guarantee they’re linked to prostate cancer. But
it is always much better to be safe than sorry. Often, a doctor will recommend a specific
type of blood test to rule out the possibility of prostate cancer. This is called a PSA
test. Remember prostate-specific antigen, that important enzyme contained in the prostatic
fluid? Well, some of that enzyme the prostate gland produces can end up, in small amounts, in a
man’s blood. This PSA test is designed to measure the level of that enzyme in their blood because a
raised level of prostate-specific antigen can be a warning sign of the presence of prostate cancer.
However, a high amount of prostate-specific antigen in the blood can be an indicator of
other problems that aren’t cancer-related. More often than not, patients with raised
prostate-specific antigen levels will not have prostate cancer. Inversely, these levels can
appear to be normal even when cancer is present, hence why PSA tests aren’t used more generally to
screen for prostate cancer. The higher someone’s PSA level, the greater the likelihood of cancer
being present, but not a certainty that it is. There is a considerable genetic component
to the development of prostate cancer. If a person’s father, grandfather, uncles, or any
other male relatives have had prostate cancer, then this can indicate a higher risk of a
patient developing the disease. If any of a person’s family members have developed
prostate cancer, even a non-fatal case, then your doctor will need to know and
will likely ask this if you report any worrying symptoms to them. Again, it’s
best to be as safe as possible, even if it turns out you don’t have prostate cancer.
Now, that can be a lot to take in, and it’s certainly an unsettling prospect for those of you
who have prostates. But please try not to worry; having a prostate isn’t a guarantee that
you’ll develop prostate cancer. You might be left wondering what you can do to prevent
the likelihood of developing the disease. Well, the risk can certainly be reduced by
maintaining a healthy prostate gland. How do you do that? Well, one way is to keep a balanced
diet, eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. It’s important to note there isn’t any proven
link between particular foods and a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Some studies indicate that
selenium, a mineral, can help combat cell damage, which could, in turn, lead to a lower risk. And
before you start scouring your local pharmacy or health store for some in supplement form, don’t
worry; you don’t have to look far to find sources of selenium. It can be found in foods like
broccoli, Brazil nuts, asparagus, brown rice, and onions. And here’s a pro tip: selenium works
best when combined with vitamin E and zinc. Over in the Mediterranean, there is a
much lower rate of prostate cancer cases, and this is believed to be a result of the
local diet. The food there is rich in garlic, olive oil, fish, and tomatoes. Tomatoes especially
contain a pigment called lycopene, which is not only what makes them bright red but is also
a powerful antioxidant that can also repair damaged cells. And speaking of antioxidants,
remember what we said earlier about green tea! There is also a link between obesity and
developing cancer, and this includes prostate cancer. As much as it can take a lot of motivation
and dedication, maintaining a healthy weight just through eating a balanced diet and exercising
regularly can reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer. Aim for two and a half hours a
week of exercise that leaves you just a little out of breath. Even if, at first, you can’t manage
this, any small amount can make a difference to your health. Just gradually increase the time
you spend doing it don’t worry, nobody’s expecting you to be in the gym twenty four hours a day,
getting shredded until you have an eight-pack. In fact, if you’re looking to lose weight,
it’s better to do so slowly, just a couple of pounds a week. Make small changes to your
diet, and they’ll soon add up. It’s another thing you can ask your doctor for advice on.
Keeping active through the use of regular exercise can help balance out the body’s hormone
levels, which can not only prevent obesity and bolster the immune system but could also reduce
the risk of many types of cancer – including prostate cancer. It’s even still beneficial for
men who have already been diagnosed with the disease and are actively receiving treatment.
So, those were just a few handfuls of Weird Facts About the Prostate! Remember: don’t
be a bad nut, take care of your walnut! Now check out “Man Grows Tumor With Teeth Inside
Testicles.” Or watch this video here instead!
