The prostate gland and PSA testing

The prostate gland Back to top

The tube that carries urine and sperm out through the penis (urethra) runs through the middle of the prostate gland.

Diagram showing the prostate and surrounding organs

View a large version of the diagram of the prostate and surrounding organs|

The prostate produces a thick, white fluid called semen, which mixes with the sperm made by the testes. It also produces a protein called prostate specific antigen (PSA), which liquefies the semen. The growth of the cells within the prostate gland, and the way that the gland works, are dependent on the male sex hormone testosterone, which is produced in the testes.

You're unlikely to be aware of your prostate unless it causes you trouble. The two most common prostate problems are prostate enlargement, also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and prostatitis.

Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) Back to top

This is common in men over the age of 50 and can cause the following symptoms:

• difficulty in starting to pass urine, or in passing urine
• passing urine more often than usual, especially at night
• an urgent need to pass urine.
• BPH can cause a raised PSA level.

BPH is not cancer and is not the same as prostate cancer.

Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) Back to top

This doesn't often cause any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they include repeated urine infections and a dull ache at the bottom of the pelvis. Prostatitis may also cause a raised PSA level. 

Prostatitis can be caused by an infection, which is treated with antibiotics. It can also be caused by physical injury to the prostate gland, or by some autoimmune diseases in which the body's immune system damages the body's own cells.

Prostatitis is not prostate cancer.