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In a recent video on her YouTube channel, urologist and sex educator Dr. Rena Malik breaks down what she believes every man should know about a crucial part of his anatomy: the prostate.
"The primary function of the prostate is to make fluid for ejaculation," she says, adding that the milky liquid produced by the prostate makes up around 30 percent of semen volume. "This fluid contains enzymes and proteins that help activate and nourish the sperm, making it easier for them to move and ultimately fertilize the egg."
The size of the prostate changes throughout a person's life, growing the most during puberty. Later in life, enlargement or swelling of the prostate can cause urinary health issues for as much as 70 per cent of men over the age of 60. Fortunately, there are plenty of treatment options available.
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She goes on to say that manual stimulation of the prostate, or prostate massage, was used as a way to treat prostatitis and relieve tension in the pelvic floor up until the 20th century. Not only that, but frequent ejaculation might actually reduce an individual's risk of prostate cancer.
According to scientific theories, fluid builds up in the prostate between ejaculations, and without regular sexual release this could lead to carcinogenic secretions. It's also believed that the stress relief benefits of ejaculation are a factor.
Screening for prostate cancer, however, is easier than you might think: a simple exam to check there are no nodules or abnormalities, conducted in parallel with a blood test. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime, so testing is hugely important, especially for men who are in higher risk age groups.
