Dr. Ted Schaeffer: All Things Prostate Cancer, Urology, & Men’s Health
The Rich Roll Podcast
Understanding the Prostate: Function and Common Issues
The prostate is a small gland about the size of a golf ball located just below the bladder in men, primarily responsible for producing semen, which aids in the survival of sperm during reproduction. It plays a crucial role in sexual reproduction, as the urethra, through which both urine and semen pass, runs through the center of the prostate. A significant issue affecting prostate health is its tendency to enlarge with age, leading to compression of the urethra. This condition can result in urinary symptoms such as a weak urine stream and incomplete bladder emptying. Approximately 75% of men over 50 experience some urinary discomfort due to prostate enlargement, a phenomenon often related to natural aging rather than prostate cancer. While prostate cancer is prevalent, many urinary problems stem from benign prostatic enlargement rather than malignancy, highlighting the prostate’s dual role in both reproduction and as a source of common health issues for men.
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