Prostatitis

 

What is Prostatitis?

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Prostatitis is an inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. It is a very common disorder. In fact, it is the most commonly diagnosed urologic disease in men. About 50% of adult men in South Africa will be treated for prostates during their lifetime.

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What is the Prostate and how does it work?

The prostate is a walnut - sized gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It is located just below the bladder and surrounds the uppermost portion of the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder, through the penis and out of the body. The main function of the prostate gland is to produce fluid for semen. During orgasm, prostatic fluid combines with sperm (produced in the testicles) and other fluids, is forced into the urethra and ejaculated as semen.

In most men, the prostate begins a gradual process of enlargement at about 40 years of age. The reasons for this enlargement, known as benign (noncancerous) prostatic (affecting the prostate) hyperplasia (having more cells than normal), or BPH, are not entirely known. However, the enlargement is most likely related to hormonal changes that accompany the aging process or to chemical