Thousands more suffer from either acute or chronic prostatitis.
Although most men anticipate prostate troubles with aging, they are by no means inevitable. The walnut-size prostate gland, consisting of three main lobes, lies beneath the bladder surrounding the urethra like a collar. It secretes a thin, milky, alkaline fluid containing substances which neutralize bacteria, citric acid, calcium, acid phosphate, fructose, zinc, a cocktail of enzymes and prosta-glandins. Interestingly, the prostatic fluid is normally ejaculated in the first contraction of orgasm, before the bulk of the seminal fluid, to enhance sperm motility and fertility. As the enlargement progresses, the prostate pressure squeezes the urethra, causing obstruction of urine flow.