What Does The Prostate Do Can You Live Without It And What Happens When You Have It Removed
All men have a prostate, yet many know little about what it does or what happens if it is removed. Heres the lowdown
- 9:25, 20 Mar 2018
THE prostate is;a male reproductive organ which surrounds the neck of the bladder which releases a fluid component of semen.
All men have a prostate, yet many know little about what it does or what happens if it is removed. Heres the lowdown
What Does The Female Prostate Do
Research into the female prostate is still relatively new, so doctors are not sure of everything the female prostate does. But some research indicates that the Skene glands play an important part in the female urinary system and genitals.
However, the use of more advanced imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging , has given researchers a better understanding of how the female prostate works.
If You Are A Trans Woman
If you are a trans woman and have had genital-gender affirming surgery as part of your transition, you still have a prostate. It is important to talk to your GP or nurse if you are worried about prostate cancer;or have symptoms.
Prostate cancer UK have detailed information about trans women and prostate cancer.
The LGBT Foundation can also give you confidential advice and support. You can also talk to one of our cancer support specialists.
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Ruling Out Prostate Cancer
If you have symptoms of BPH, your doctor might also test for prostate cancer. An early examination is important because only a comprehensive exam will determine whether you have BPH, which is a benign condition, or whether you have prostate cancer, which is best to diagnose early. Important tests for detecting prostate cancer include a digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen test.
- Digital rectal examination : During this test, your urologist will feel your prostate. The exam shows whether your prostate is hard or asymmetrical, both of which can be signs of cancer, or soft, which is less likely to indicate cancer. Your urologist will insert a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum. If your doctor feels anything that may indicate prostate cancer, you may need to have more tests to make an accurate diagnosis.
- Prostate-Specific Antigen Test: This blood test measures a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland. It is always done and evaluated in conjunction with a DRE.
It is important to recognize that a high PSA reading alone does not mean that you have cancer. An elevated PSA could be a sign of a number of conditions, including BPH, or prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate. There is no evidence that prostatitis and BPH cause cancer, but it is possible for a man to have one or both of these conditions and to develop prostate cancer as well.
A Remake Of An Old Classic: Can Women Ejaculate
At the beginning of the 20th century a renaissance of female ejaculation studies occurred. Early papers discussing the phenomenon lacked a unified opinion on whether a liquid may exit a womans genitals upon orgasm, and if it did, where it came from or what it was made of.
Ernst Grafenberg introduced a controversial idea in the 1950s when he postulated that stimulation of the G-spot was responsible for the ejaculation of fluid through the Skenes glands. Despite his status as a respected researcher his thorough descriptions of the female ejaculation were seen by academia as anecdotal at best and falsified at worst.
If the work of experts was not being recognized, it seemed unlikely that others would have luck publishing pro-female ejaculation research. And indeed, after Grafenberg came quite a bit of writing outright rejecting the notion of female ejaculation. Notably, even Alfred Kinsey, famous for inventing the Kinsey scale, and in many ways the father of modern sexology, weighed in on the topic of female ejaculation, claiming that it truly was contractions of the vagina pushing out the fluid from the vaginal walls, and therefore not an actual ejaculation.
The few papers in support of female ejaculation that were published postulated that female ejaculation might originate from small glands located just below the urethra. At the same time, another theory started making waves:that female ejaculation was just urinary incontinence.
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Tissues In The Prostate Gland
There are two types of tissues in the prostate gland. These are the fibromuscular tissues and exocrine glandular tissues.
Read Also: What Is The Definition Of Prostate Gland
What Happens In The Prostate Cancer
You can call it either the prostate cancer or the Skenes glands cancer based upon if you consider that do women have prostate or not. This cancer can develop in such a way that small lesions are formed and the risk factor for these lesions is the progesterone hormone and moreover if the female has the history of pregnancy that has affected the progesterone hormone can be the reason for the development of cancer.
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Can A Female Doctor And Nurse Perform A Male Genital Exam
glowing waterbed over a year ago
Would like to hear from guys who had one done and female Drs and nurses who performed them.
Is a female Doctor allowed to perform a male genital exam? And will she be alone or have to have a female chaperone with her? I injured my groin and my primary Dr is female. So I was wondering if she would be the one to perform the exam. Or would a male Dr do it since Im male. If its my female Dr and she has to have a nurse with her. Im worried that I will get an erection in front of the two of them. Will they be mad if that happens while she is examining me? This is my first time having an exam like this and I just want to know what to expect. Like will I have to be naked the whole time with her in the room? And will the nurse see my penis as well as the dr? Thanks for any advice.
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Biomajor10over a year ago
I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.
over a year ago
In reply to Biomajor10 on 2019-02-14 click to read
over a year ago
In reply to glowing waterbed on 2019-02-15 click to read
over a year ago
In reply to Biomajor10 on 2019-02-15 click to read In reply to glowing waterbed on 2019-02-15 click to read
njoynlifeover a year ago
At the VA my ARNP was a female who gave me a prostate exam;and once she had a female trainee with her who did a real full physical exam.
So you get used to medical procedures.
Biomajor10over a year ago
Also Check: Perineural Invasion Prostate Cancer
Whats The Purpose Of The Female Prostate
In recent years, MRI has helped to clarify the appearance and function of the female prostate. More research is needed, but researchers are starting to get a better understanding of these glands.
In men, the prostate gland is suspected of being able to store infection in the body. That fact makes researchers wonder whether the Skenes glands serve a similar function. How that might work in men or women is important to know as doctors try to find how infection works in people who are HIV-positive, for example.
Researchers also are interested that the female prostate produces PSA. The presence of PSA is one of the indicators of prostate cancer in men. It also shows up in women who have certain types of breast cancer . It may be that the role of PSA in both men and women is more complicated than we understand.
Elevated PSA levels before treatment for cancer of the Skenes glands, and declining levels after, were found in cases where people received
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Can A Swollen Prostate If Untreated Cause Prostate Cancer
We have no evidence of that. Theyre completely unrelated problems. The area of the prostate that causes urinary symptoms is usually a different part of the prostate than where cancer is likeliest to develop.;
Doctors divide the prostate into different zones. The zone that is associated with BPHand the majority of prostate growthis the transition zone. Prostate cancer occurs there much less often than in the peripheral zone, which is the outer area.;
Genetic Testing For Some Men With Prostate Cancer
Some doctors now recommend that some men with prostate cancer be tested to look for certain inherited gene changes. This includes men in whom a family cancer syndrome is suspected, as well as men with prostate cancer that has certain high-risk features or that has spread to other parts of the body. Talk to your doctor about the possible pros, cons, and limitations of such testing.;
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Ok Women Have Prostates So What
21st century studies have been able to make great progress characterizing the female prostate. We now know it can suffer from the same diseases as the male prostate, like carcinoma, prostatitis, and prostate cancer. We also know that inflammation of the Skenes glands may be implicated in chronic UTIs, and that these glands can develop painful cysts.
New studies have found antimicrobial compounds, similar to those found in male ejaculate, in female ejaculate. So, it may be that female ejaculation could confer a protection against UTIs.
One of the last remaining mysteries was highlighted in a 2015 study that took pelvic ultrasounds of seven women who self-reported experiencing ejaculation. It found that before and after orgasm the bladders of the women were empty, but during the build up to orgasm, the bladder rapidly filled, and then rapidly emptied upon ejaculation. This large-volume ejaculate was found to be chemically similar to the womens urine .
The current evidence points to women not only ejaculating but experiencing two types of ejaculations: a small-volume ejaculate that is milky in colour and that originates primarily from the prostate, and a clear, larger-volume ejaculate originating primarily from the bladder.
How Does Having A Prostate Affect Sex In Trans Women
Some trans women who have had vaginoplasty report self-lubrication of the vagina this may be fluid from the prostate. Not all trans women who have had vaginoplasty experience this. Stimulation of the prostate during vaginal sex can be another source of sexual pleasure.;
The prostate gland is sensitive. Stimulation of the prostate gland can be enjoyable for cis men, trans women and non-binary people, for example through anal sex or using fingers or sex toys.;
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What To Expect During A Prostate Exam
The prostate sits near the bladder and is a walnut-sized gland in men that helps with the production of semen.
As you get older, your prostate can become enlarged or inflamed, and some men will develop prostate cancer. Its the most common type of cancer in men, with almost 50,000 cases per year in the UK. Around eight in 10;men recover and live for at least 10 years after being diagnosed with it.
With many cancers, including prostate cancer, you may not notice any symptoms in the early stages. This means that the cancer can grow undetected and develop into a more serious stage or spread to other parts of your body.
Catching cancer early is one of the most effective ways to maximise your chances of making a full recovery.;
A prostate exam will help your doctor detect anything unusual happening with your prostate so that further investigations can be performed if needed.
Genetic Testing For Prostate Cancer
You may hear a lot about genetics or genomics. Both terms are related to genes and cell DNA, but they are different. These tests are being used to learn more about the DNA of cancer cells, and link DNA mutations with treatments. In the future, genetic testing may be the first step doctors take when diagnosing prostate cancer.
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Where Can I Get More Information About The Prostate In Trans Women
We are currently working on information specifically for trans women on the diagnosis and treatment of prostate problems.
Theres a lot of information on prostate problems on our website. It is mostly based on evidence and guidance for cis men but some of the information will still be relevant if youre a trans woman or a non-binary person assigned male at birth.
Our services are open to all people with a prostate and those supporting them. For support you can:
- speak to your GP
How Is The Prostate Involved In Reproduction
The prostatic fluid accounts for 20 to 30 percent of the volume of seminal fluid .
As mentioned before, this fluid contains enzymes, proteins, and minerals that protect and nourish sperm ;and are necessary for the proper functioning of sperm cells.
Whats more, research, such as one paper published in July 2015 in the journal;PloS;One, has suggested the alkalinity of the fluid helps ensure the viability of sperm in reproduction.
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Will My Prostate Be Removed During Genital Reconstructive Surgery
The prostate is not removed as part of genital reconstructive surgery because of the risk of side effects such as urinary problems and damage to nerves.
The diagram below shows where the prostate is in someone who has had genital reconstructive surgery that includes the formation of a vagina .
Where is the prostate in a trans woman after vaginoplasty?
I didnt know what prostate cancer was. I knew I had a prostate although I wasnt told about it during transition. I have met many trans women who believe that the prostate is removed with genital reconstructive surgery, but it isnt. A personal experience
Side View Of The Prostate
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis. The prostate is just in front of the rectum. The urethra runs through the center of the prostate, from the bladder to the penis, letting urine flow out of the body.
The prostate secretes fluid that nourishes and protects sperm. During ejaculation, the prostate squeezes this fluid into the urethra, and itâs expelled with sperm as semen.
The vasa deferentia bring sperm from the testes to the seminal vesicles. The seminal vesicles contribute fluid to semen during ejaculation.
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Is It Common To Have Prostate In Women
You might have heard few people talking about female prostate issues. But the real fact is that female body does not include prostate gland. The glands that women often talk about are actually small glands that can be observed at front portion of vagina whereas corresponding ducts to these glands are well recognised as Skenes Glands/Ducts.
The researchers have defined few specific terminologies related to this condition. It is observed that Phosphatase and Prostate Specific Antigen use to stay present in both Skenes glands as well as in male prostate.
But the fact is that it is still not clear during researches that whether female prostate glands turns into small ducts on every side of urethra or it is urethra itself. You must be aware about function of urethra, it use to carry urine out of body so it is definitely a functional part for genital of females and for the urinary system.
Female urinary system
Here is an important thing to know for all worried people that as prostate gland in females share same functionality as that of male prostate gland so we cannot say that it will always lead to a prostate cancer.
Prostate Specific Antigen Test
A blood test called a prostate specific antigen test measures the level of PSA in the blood. PSA is a substance made by the prostate. The levels of PSA in the blood can be higher in men who have prostate cancer. The PSA level may also be elevated in other conditions that affect the prostate.
As a rule, the higher the PSA level in the blood, the more likely a prostate problem is present. But many factors, such as age and race, can affect PSA levels. Some prostate glands make more PSA than others.
PSA levels also can be affected by
- Certain medical procedures.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Prostate Problems In Trans Women
Most early prostate cancer doesnt usually have any symptoms, but some people might have urinary problems. These can also be a sign of a benign prostate problem, such as an;enlarged prostate;or;prostatitis.
Trans women who have had feminising hormones and therefore have a smaller prostate might be less likely to have symptoms but if they do have symptoms they might be similar to those of cis men. Read about the;possible symptoms of prostate problems in cis men.
Genital reconstructive surgery can cause urinary symptoms and pain so this could be confused with symptoms of prostate problems.
If you have any urinary symptoms as a trans woman or non-binary person assigned male at birth you should speak to your doctor so that they can find out whats causing them.