As you will recall from our earlier discussion, the prostate gland is a walnut-sized structure at the base of the bladder that contributes secretions to the seminal fluid. The prostate is a focal point of some of the more common “male problems," which range from inflammation and enlargement to cancer.
Prostatitis
One of the most frequent disorders of the prostate gland, prostatitis, occurs when the prostate becomes enlarged and inflamed, often as a result of an infectious agent, such as the gonococcus bacterium (responsible for gonorrhea) or the protozoan Trichomonas. (These agents are discussed in Chapter 15.) Prostatitis affects about 10% of men of all ages and most often occurs in men in their 40s (Pluta et ah, 2012). Prostatitis symptoms include pain in the pelvic area or H § base of the penis, lower abdominal ache, backache, aching testes, the urgent need И I? to urinate frequently, a burning sensation while urinating, a cloudy discharge Иі from the penis, and difficulties with sexual functions, such as painful erections К J or ejaculations and reduced sexual interest. Prostatitis can be effectively treated Я jf with a variety of prescription drugs—most commonly, antibiotics. Other medi — ® cations, such as anti-inflammatory agents and alpha-blockers, have also proved to be beneficial in some instances (Luzzi & Schaeffer, 2007; Thunyarat et al., 2011). Cranberry powder (1,500 mg per day) has also proved to be beneficial in men with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (Gaby, 2011).