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The prostate is a gland, weighing 25 gram, below the bladder. Because it is situated around the urethra (bladder pipe), enlargement causes obstruction in urethra. Enlargement occurs naturally with age, and might be accompanied by cancerous change. Symptoms are usually slow in onset, starting with dribbling, getting up at night, weak stream, urgency and hesitancy. The symptoms tend to get worse progressively, and might culminate in retention. After the age of 45, men should have their prostates checked annually, including blood tests and a rectal examination. Symptoms and signs that are typically experienced by men with prostatitis include: Difficulties in urinating.Most urinary problems are caused when the swollen prostate blocks the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body (urethra). Patients feel the need to urinate more often than usual, often urgently. Urination is sometimes painful. It is hard to start the flow of urine and difficult to totally empty the bladder. Patients wake up at night to urinate. The stream may be weak or split. Dribbling after attempts to urinate may leave embarrassing wet spots on clothing. In severe prostatitis blood or sand-like particles (small calcium collections) may be passed in the urine. Pain. Besides pain when urinating, caused by prostate swelling, stimulation of nerves in the prostate gland may cause pain in the penis, one or both testicles, the lower stomach, the low back, and the area between the scrotum and the anus (perineum). Some patients experience pain during or after ejaculation, whenever they sit down or walk, or during bowel movements. Sex and fertility. The pain of prostatitis can make it impossible to enjoy sex. Men with prostatitis may be troubled by early release of sperm (premature ejaculation). Occasionally there is blood in the semen. Some of the drugs prescribed to ease the flow of the urine can dampen the desire to have sex. Because the normal prostate secretions make up part of the semen, prostatitis may lower fertility by severely lowering the number of sperm and making them less mobile. Psychological problems. A man with prostatitis who feels that nothing can be done and he "just has to live with it" may experience serious depression. Low sexual desire certainly contributes to depression. 2010-07-23
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