Prostate Basics

Prostate problems are a classic male health issue. Why? Because women don’t have one. This means the average male’s main sources of health information - the women in his life – cannot help him.

Although prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, many of us don’t know what or where the prostate is.

It sits just behind the bladder and starts out the size of a walnut. But often it gets larger as we get older. The walnut can become an orange. It can start to press on the bladder causing various urination problems including peeing more, difficulty starting, dribbling, weak flow etc. Sometimes it also causes erection problems.

An enlarged prostate is normal. It does not mean you have cancer. But it makes sense to see your GP. 

Your GP can help you deal with the symptoms of an enlarged prostate which will do wonders for your sleeping and your sex life and, if it is cancer, your GP can get it treated. If caught early prostate cancer can be very effectively treated. (A quarter of a million men are currently living with prostate cancer in the UK.)

Get your prostate question answered online through the European Men’s Health Forum’s site Your Prostate.

• More on the prostate on malehealth at .
• Other excellent websites on this topic include those of Prostate UK, Orchid, the Prostate Cancer Charity and UK Prostate Link.

This page was produced by malehealth, the Men's Health Forum's health information website for men of all ages, for the men's health app Bloke Noises. Download the app here.