We here at everybodysgood.com think an important part of keeping our bodies healthy is truly knowing about your body and understanding it---and this coudln't be more true than when it comes to our sexual anatomy!  So throughout this site you'll find various articles and blog posts that give an overview of different parts of both male and female sexual anatomy, the function(s) of those parts and related health risks that we think are important.

In this article we will cover one of the most important  parts of male sexual anatomy:  the PROSTATE. Many men, especially those of us who are gay or bisexual, have discovered the pleasures possible with stimulation of the prostate…but even men who have not should be glad they have one!  Yet many men still have little idea where exactly the prostate is, what it’s supposed to do, and how to keep it healthy. 

The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut located just beneath the bladder.  Sometimes described as a “donut,” it completely surrounds the urethra (the tube running through penis through which urine and semen are released).  In that location it is also adjacent to the wall of the rectum on the anterior (stomach) side just a few inches past the anal sphincter---which is why it is easily found and/or stimulated through anal penetration or rectal probing.

So that’s the basic “geography” of the prostate but what does it do? The prostate has one primary biological function:  it produces much of the fluid that makes up semen.  (Many men believe that the prostate makes testosterone---testosterone impacts prostate development/functioning but is NOT produced in the prostate itself).  Many men have also found that the prostate has a second function: pleasure.  The prostate and surrounding area are rich in nerves that can create intense and/or pleasurable sensations when stimulated.

As useful as it is in producing semen and pleasure, however, the prostate is also often prone to health problems.  Prostatitis is the general name given to conditions that can occur at any age in the prostate gland.  Prostatitis varies in nature and can be anything from mild inflammations to serious bacterial infections.  Prostatitis can be caused by a number of things including bacteria, other STD’s, trauma, or even extended periods of time with no ejaculation!  Symptoms may include lower back or abdominal pain, trouble/pain during urination, erection problems, discharge from the penis, and fever.  Another common ailment of the prostate is prostate cancer.  Over the course of a man’s life certain cells in the prostate continue to grow and as he advances in age the likelihood of these cells becoming cancerous increases (an estimated one out of every five older men in America is diagnosed with prostate cancer).

These problems can be not only a nuisance but they can also be potentially dangerous.  So keeping your prostate healthy is important.  A healthy prostate is a combination of self-help techniques and a good relationship with a knowledgeable medical provider.  Some tips include:

·    Ejaculation:  Yes it’s true what you heard in the locker room…not ejaculating often enough IS bad for your health!
·    Don’t overdo it!:  There can be too much of a good thing!  Overstressing the prostate can also be unhealthy.
·    Water:  Drinking ample water is good for your health…and seems to have particular benefits for prostate health.
·    Diet:  Excess amounts of spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol seem to have a negative effect.
·    Body Health: General good health, including a good diet and exercise, benefits the prostate.
·    Good Doctor:  Having a good doctor becomes more important as you age.  There are a number of tests and/or treatments available and having a qualified doctor who can recommend and conduct these exams is very important!