Home > Living with... > Bladder problems > Men > Prostate
Prostate & bladder problems
The prostate gland is about the size of walnut and is only found in men. Located just below the neck of the bladder, it surrounds the bladder outlet or urethra. Its job is to secrete a milky fluid that becomes part of the semen and nourishes the sperm.
As men age, the prostate gland enlarges. In most cases, this causes no problems at all, but for some this enlargement can cause urinary problems such as
- a slow and/or interrupted stream
- difficulty starting to pass urine
- increased need to pass urine more frequently
- a feeling of incomplete emptying
- loss of urinary control (eg incontinence)
Incontinence can also occur as a result of other medical conditions. It causes a lot of suffering and embarrassment. If you have any changes in your urinary symptoms, or concerns about your prostate gland, contact your doctor or a continence advisor for advice.
For more details have a look at the brochure Prostate and Bladder Problems, or you can order a brochure on Prostate enlargement from Andrology Australia.
Page last updated 22 Sep 2008