Identifying Potential Prostate Problems
With A Massager Strap
If youre playing with sex toys, you can really mix it up by playing with the different vibration settings, as well as pressure and depth.
- Pressure. Controlling pressure when using a toy is easier, especially when youre playing solo. Try pressing the toy against the prostate using more or less pressure till you find your sweet spot.
- Depth. Depth is another area where toys win out since reaching can make it hard to go deep, if thats what you crave. Try different sized anal toys or get a longer one that you can insert as deep as your bottom desires.
- Vibrations. You can buy prostate massagers that offer up multiple speed and pulse settings. Play with the different settings to find your preference. Up the vibes as you get closer to orgasm.
- Sensation. Some prostate massagers have an attached external stimulator to give your perineum some sweet lovin while the other end penetrates. Who doesnt love a hard worker?
Want a little more?
If your partner has a penis, you can kick things up a notch with penis-in-anus penetration. Prostate stimulation for you, penile stimulation for them and a happy ending for you both.
Different positions can make reaching and pleasuring the prostate easier. These positions work for external and internal prostate stimulation, alone and with a partner.
The Seminal Vesicle And Its Role In Prostate Cancer
A seminal vesicle is one of a pair of small tubular glands. These glands are positioned inside the body: above the prostate, behind the bladder, and in front of the rectum. One sits toward the left and the other sits toward the right. Each is roughly two inches long, on average.
The primary function of the seminal vesicles involves the production of fluid that mixes with sperm and makes up a significant percentage of semen. The fluid that the seminal vesicles produce is rich in sugars because its designed to feed sperm. Its also sticky, so that semen stays in the vagina long enough for a sperm to fertilize an egg.
If a man develops prostate cancer and it metastasizes , the disease will often spread to the seminal vesicles.
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Facts About The Prostate And Prostate Cancer
Posted on 9/16/20 by Laura Snider
The prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system that is located just below the bladder. It contains the ejaculatory ducts and a portion of the urethra, which carries semen out of the body during ejaculation.
The prostate within the pelvic cavity. Image from Human Anatomy Atlas.
Regular prostate health screenings are an important part of preventative healthcare for men. This is because prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men and, as with many other cancers, early detection and treatment greatly increase the survival rate.
Today, were going to discuss five key facts about the prostates functions and the conditions that affect itnot just cancer, but also less life-threatening conditions such as prostatitis and benign prostate hyperplasia .
Types Of Prostate Cancer
Almost all prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas. These cancers develop from the gland cells .
Other types of cancer that can start in the prostate include:
- Small cell carcinomas
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Transitional cell carcinomas
- Sarcomas
These other types of prostate cancer are rare. If you are told you have prostate cancer, it is almost certain to be an adenocarcinoma.
Some prostate cancers grow and spread quickly, but most grow slowly. In fact, autopsy studies show that many older men who died of other causes also had prostate cancer that never affected them during their lives. In many cases, neither they nor their doctors even knew they had it.
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What Does The Prostate Gland Do And Why Is It Important
The prostate is responsible for producing prostatic fluid, which is full of enzymes, proteins, and minerals that are vital for the proper functioning of sperm.
During climax, smooth muscle fibers of the stroma contract, forcing the prostatic fluid through the ejaculatory ducts and into the urethra.
In the urethra, the prostatic fluid mixes with fluid from the seminal vesicle, sperm from the testes, and secretions from the bulbourethral gland, a pea-sized gland below the prostate.
In all, prostatic fluid makes up 20 to 30 percent of semen .
Aside from producing prostatic fluid, the prostate is responsible for closing up the urethra during ejaculation so that semen doesn’t enter the bladder. During urination, the muscles of the central zone close the prostate’s seminal ducts so that urine cannot enter the prostate.
An Enlarged Prostate Can Cause Trouble With Urination
Enlargement of the prostate gland, or benign prostate hyperplasia , occurs for many men as they get older. Men under 40 usually dont suffer from BPH, but according to the Mayo Clinic, about one-third of men experience moderate to severe symptoms by age 60, and about half do so by age 80.
Because part of the urethra passes through the prostate, BPH commonly leads to symptoms such as increased frequency or urgency of urination, difficulty starting urination, a weak urine stream, and/or the inability to completely empty the bladder. Typically, symptoms become worse over time, and complications such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and damage to the kidneys and bladder can occur.
The three portions of the male urethra.Image from Human Anatomy Atlas.
Fortunately, there are many ways of treating BPH, depending on the degree of prostate enlargement that has occurred. Alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are two categories of drugs that are often used to treat BPH, either separately or in combination. Minimally invasive surgery or surgical therapies are also options that can help shrink the prostate and make urination easier.
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Understanding The Prostate Gland
The prostate is a sex gland in men. The prostate is about the size of a walnut, but it can grow larger as men age. It sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds the upper part of the urethra. This is the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. The prostate is part muscle and part gland. It has ducts that open into the urethra.
The prostate glands main purpose is to secrete a fluid that makes up most of semen. This is the fluid that carries sperm. Its made in the gland cells of the prostate. During a mans orgasm, the muscle parts of the prostate help to send the fluid into the urethra. Its mixed with other fluids and sperm that were made in the testicles to form semen. The semen then leaves the body through the tip of the penis during ejaculation.
Wednesday 4 October 2017
Hey guys, we know that talking about your prostate can be a little uncomfortable. You might not know where or what it is, or you might have only heard about it in stories about older men having difficulty peeing or the doctor sticking their finger up you know where to check on it.
Below, weve got all the details about what your prostate is, where it is and what it does. Well also discuss how it might change as you age, and any changes or symptoms you should keep an eye on and tell your doctor about.
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Is A Prostate Massage The Same Thing As Trying For A Prostate Orgasm
Yes. If you massage the prostate in a way that feels good, youre probably going to have an orgasm if you keep at it.
Some doctors recommend prostate massage therapy to help relieve the symptoms of certain conditions, such as painful ejaculation prostatitis.
Yep! Though evidence on the efficacy of prostate massage for certain conditions is somewhat limited, it does appear to have some benefits.
Prostate Cancer Diagnoses And Treatment
All cancer is complex, but prostate cancer testing and treatment is particularly complicated.
In some men with prostate cancer, the cancer will grow very slowly, and wont significantly affect them during their lifetime. Other mens prostate cancer can grow and spread very quickly. At the moment, there is no test that can tell what type of prostate cancer a man has when he is diagnosed.
Because some treatments for prostate cancer can cause side effects which might impact on quality of life, its important for men to discuss with their doctor all their options for testing and treatment, and to discuss these with their partners and families. These might include watchful waiting, which means waiting to see what the cancer does over time, radiation, surgery or taking medications.
You can read more about what kinds of questions to ask your doctors about prostate cancer testing and treatment on the Cancer Council website.
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How Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Diagnosed
Your doctor will look at your medical history and give you a complete physical examination.
Your doctor will perform a digital rectal examination by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum to feel the prostate, estimate its size and detect any hard areas that could be cancer.
Several studies may be performed to help diagnose your condition:
- A survey to evaluate how severe your symptoms are.
- A flow study may be conducted to measure how slow the urinary stream is compared with normal urine flow.
- A study to detect how much urine is left in the bladder after you finish urinating.
- A cystoscopy to look into the bladder.
Diagnosing Benign Prostate Enlargement
You might have several different tests to find out if you have an enlarged prostate.
A GP may do some of these tests, such as a urine test, but others might need to be done at a hospital.
Some tests may be needed to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms to BPE, such as prostate cancer.
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Risk Factors For Prostate Changes
The biggest risk factor for prostate changes is age. The prostate continues to grow over time, so older men are more likely to experience prostate changes.
When it comes to prostate cancer specifically, age is still a risk factoras the older a man is, the more likely he is to develop the disease. However, other risk factors for prostate cancer include:
- Race. African-American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer. Theyre also more likely to get the disease at a younger age and to be diagnosed with a more advanced disease.
- Family history. Men who have a first-degree relative with prostate cancer face an increased risk.
What Are The Symptoms Of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Since the prostate gland surrounds the urethra , it is easy to understand that enlargement of the prostate can lead to blockage of the tube. Therefore, you may develop:
- Slowness or dribbling of your urinary stream.
- Hesitancy or difficulty starting to urinate.
- Frequent urination.
- Feeling of urgency .
- Need to get up at night to urinate.
- Pain after ejaculation or while urinating.
- Urine that looks or smells “funny” .
The enlargement of the prostate can lead to blockage of the urethra.
As symptoms get worse, you may develop:
- Damage to your kidneys from back pressure caused by retaining large amounts of extra urine in the bladder.
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away:
- Pain in the area of the lower abdomen or genitals while urinating.
- Cant urinate at all.
- Pain, fever and/or chills while urinating.
- Blood in the urine.
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Prostate Massage Therapy And Why It May Be Helpful
Prostate massage therapy , in which the prostate is stimulated through the rectum, was once a popular treatment for prostatitis.
The procedure is similar to a digital rectal exam, except rather than briefly looking for abnormalities on the prostate, the person performing the prostatic message rubs the prostate with light to moderate pressure until it secretes fluid through the urethra .
It was once thought that people could relieve symptoms related to prostatic congestion by expelling inflammatory cells and fluid from the obstructed glands. But this therapy largely fell out of favor in the 1960s, once antibiotics became available.
A study published in the journal Neurology tested whether prostate massage could be used as an adjunct treatment for people with chronic prostatitis, but the researchers found that the treatment did not significantly help patients.
In some cases, doctors have used prostate massage therapy to obtain sperm from men with spinal cord injuries, leading to successful pregnancies. But electroejaculation stimulating the prostate using an electric current delivered through a probe inserted into the rectum typically yields more sperm, noted an article published in the journal Nature Reviews Urology.
Using prostate massage to achieve ejaculation is sometimes called prostate milking. Both prostate massage and prostate milking can also be sexual techniques to stimulate pleasure.
Why Do Some Men Get Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy diagnosed in men. Prostate cancer is a disease defined by the abnormal growth of cells. These abnormal cells can proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, if left untreated, form tumors which may metastasize or spread to other parts of the body. Prostate cancer has the potential to grow and spread quickly, but for most men, it is a relatively slow growing disease.
For men who suspect that they might have prostate cancer, it is very important to understand the risk factors and symptoms. Knowing where the prostate is located in the body, and the functions of the prostate will explain the impacts of prostate cancer and prostate cancer treatment. Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer need to discuss with their doctors their particular type, aggressive or non-aggressive, of prostate cancer. This will allow the patient, working with their doctor to determine the most effective treatment for their cancer.
The prostate cells produce an enzyme named Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA, found in a man’s blood. PSA is produced exclusively by prostate cells. Elevated levels of the PSA enzyme can be helpful in diagnosing issues with the prostate, like cancer or infection. These elevated levels of PSA can be detected with a simple blood test. For more information, visit our page on PSA.
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If Youre The Giving Partner
Cleanliness and safety are a must, even for the giver.
Cut and file your nails smooth to help avoid scratching or tearing the delicate skin in and around the anus.
Wash your hands thoroughly, even if youre planning to use a condom over your finger to penetrate your partner. For extra comfort, stuff cotton balls inside the condom or glove.
You can also get the party started in the shower together, which serves as foreplay and gets you both all nice and clean for the big show.
Youll probably need to try a few different moves and experiment with speed and pressure to find what feels best.
Here are some techniques to try, whether youre using fingers or toys.
How The Prostate Changes As You Age
Because the prostate gland tends to grow larger with age, it may squeeze the urethra and cause problems in passing urine. Sometimes men in their 30s and 40s may begin to have these urinary symptoms and need medical attention. For others, symptoms aren’t noticed until much later in life. An infection or a tumor can also make the prostate larger. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the urinary symptoms listed below.
Tell your doctor if you have these urinary symptoms:
- Are passing urine more during the day
- Have an urgent need to pass urine
- Have less urine flow
- Feel burning when you pass urine
- Need to get up many times during the night to pass urine
Growing older raises your risk of prostate problems. The three most common prostate problems are inflammation , enlarged prostate , and prostate cancer.
One change does not lead to another. For example, having prostatitis or an enlarged prostate does not increase your risk of prostate cancer. It is also possible for you to have more than one condition at the same time.
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Healthy Semen Is A Sign Of A Healthy Man
Like sperm and a strong erection, healthy semen shows that all systems below the belt are in good working order. Signs that you could have a problem include consistently low semen volume, smelly, abnormally colored or consistently viscous semen. Also, if ejaculation is painful or if no semen comes out during orgasm, these issues are also worth a discussion with a urologist.
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Enlargement Of The Prostate/benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
It is the abnormal growth of the prostate gland, which is a common condition in older men. Prostate gland enlargement symptoms include difficulty urinating, urine urgencies, especially at night, dribbling after urinating.
The patient is put on a drug that can help shrink the prostate. If the condition is already in the advanced stage, the best thing to do is to perform surgical procedures.
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The Prostate Contains Smooth Muscle That Pushes The Fluid Stored In The Prostate Into The Urethra During Ejaculation
In the image below, you can see that a portion of the urethra runs through the prostate.
The prostatic urethra and the prostate . Image from Human Anatomy Atlas.
Because the urethra is usually how urine gets from the bladder to the outside world, a couple of things need to happen before semen is expelled through the urethra during ejaculation. The bulbourethral glands, which are located just below the prostate, secrete a clear fluid that neutralizes any acidic urine remaining in the urethra before ejaculation and provides lubrication.
The internal urethral sphincter, located just above the prostate, closes to make sure that no urine is released along with semen during ejaculation.
The glandular cells of the prostate secrete the fluid that gets added to the semen, and the smooth muscle of the prostate contracts to squeeze that fluid into the urethra during ejaculation. Smooth muscle within the prostate also closes off the ejaculatory ducts during urination so no urine can get inside them.