The prostate is a gland located below the bladder in front of the back passage (rectum). The size of the prostate is about that of a walnut.  The prostate produces the semen fluid in ejaculation. The prostate has little other known function in older men. It may give rise to problem with urination. This difficulty with urination constitute the symptoms of various prostate problem as listed below.

The prostate encircles the urethra, the passage through which urine flows out of the bladder.

Therefore, any enlargement of the prostate may lead to obstruction of the urine flow.

If the growth of the prostate is not cancerous, the enlarged prostate is known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

The prostate may enlarge with age leading to urinary obstruction. This enlarged prostate is known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or Hypertrophy or BPH for short. As its name, this is a benign prostate enlargement. It is not prostate enlargement as a result of prostate cancer.

As many as half of all men age 50 years old and above may have prostate problem and symptoms suggestive of an enlarged prostate or BPH. These symptoms of an enlarged prostate are collectively called Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS).

Prostate cancer is increasing in incidence. Prostate cancer is the No. 1 cancer in men in the USA and the 5th commonest cancer among men in Singapore.

Prostatitis is another prostate problem that commonly afflicts adult men of all ages. Prostatitis refers to the inflammation of the prostate. It may present with urination problems or LUTS with varying severity. Severe chronic prostatitis may be debilitating.