What Does a Prostate Do? What to Know

The prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut that sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum in men. Its main job is to produce fluid that nourishes and protects sperm, making up most of the volume of semen. The prostate also helps push semen through the urethra during ejaculation by contracting its muscles. Without a working prostate, male fertility would be impossible.

What Does the Prostate Actually Do?

The prostate has one primary function: it makes seminal fluid. This fluid is thin and milky, and it makes up about 70 percent of the total volume of semen. The fluid contains enzymes, zinc, and citric acid that help keep sperm alive and mobile on their journey.

The prostate also acts like a valve. During ejaculation, the prostate muscles contract to push semen out through the urethra. At the same time, the prostate closes off the opening to the bladder so urine stays out. This is why men cannot urinate and ejaculate at the same time.

The gland sits right where the urethra passes through it. This location is important because any swelling of the prostate can pinch the urethra and make urination difficult. As of 2026, researchers still describe the prostate as essential for reproduction but not for survival — men can live without it if it is removed due to cancer.

What Happens to the Prostate as Men Age?

The prostate changes size over a man’s lifetime. At birth it is tiny. During puberty it grows to its adult size, roughly the size of a walnut. Then around age 40, many men experience a second growth phase.

This second growth is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. It is not cancer. It is just the prostate getting larger. By age 60, about half of all men have some degree of BPH. By age 85, that number rises to nearly 90 percent.

As the prostate grows, it squeezes the urethra. This can cause a range of symptoms. Men may feel the urge to urinate more often, especially at night. They may have trouble starting to pee or feel like their bladder is not empty after going. The stream may become weak or start and stop.

BPH does not cause prostate cancer, and having an enlarged prostate does not mean you will get cancer. They are separate conditions that can sometimes happen at the same time. Many men with BPH manage symptoms with lifestyle changes, medications, or in more serious cases, surgery.

What Are Common Prostate Problems?

Three main problems affect the prostate: prostatitis, BPH, and prostate cancer. Each is different and requires different care.

Prostatitis is inflammation or infection of the prostate. It can happen at any age, even in young men. Symptoms include pain in the pelvic area, pain during urination, and sometimes fever. Some cases are caused by bacteria and clear up with antibiotics. Others are chronic and harder to treat. Current research suggests chronic prostatitis may be linked to stress and nerve sensitivity, not just infection.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. It is extremely common in older men. The main issue is urinary symptoms, not pain. Many men live with mild BPH without treatment. Others need medication or a procedure to open up the urethra.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. It often grows slowly and may never cause problems. Many men die with prostate cancer, not from it. But some forms are aggressive and need treatment. Screening with a PSA blood test and digital rectal exam can help catch it early. The decision to screen or treat is personal and should be discussed with a doctor.

How Do Doctors Check the Prostate?

Doctors use two main tests to check the prostate. The first is a blood test for prostate-specific antigen, or PSA. PSA is a protein made by the prostate. High levels can indicate cancer, but they can also be high due to BPH, infection, or recent ejaculation.

The second test is a digital rectal exam, or DRE. The doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel the prostate. They check for size, firmness, and any lumps. It is quick and uncomfortable but not usually painful.

Neither test is perfect. PSA tests can give false alarms. DREs can miss early cancers. Many experts recommend starting discussions about screening at age 50, or earlier at age 45 for Black men or men with a family history of prostate cancer.

What Can Men Do to Keep Their Prostate Healthy?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent prostate problems. But some habits are linked to better prostate health.

• Eat more vegetables and fruits. Diets rich in tomatoes, broccoli, and leafy greens are linked to lower prostate cancer risk.
• Limit red meat and high-fat dairy. Some studies suggest these may increase risk.
• Stay active. Regular exercise may help reduce BPH symptoms and lower cancer risk.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is linked to more aggressive prostate cancer.
• Do not smoke. Smoking is tied to worse outcomes after prostate cancer diagnosis.

Some men take supplements like saw palmetto or zinc for prostate health. Evidence for saw palmetto is mixed. Some studies suggest it helps with BPH symptoms, but larger, better-designed trials found no benefit over placebo. Zinc is important for prostate function, but too much may be harmful. It is best to get zinc from food rather than pills.

As of 2026, there is no strong evidence that any supplement prevents prostate cancer. The best advice remains the same: eat well, stay active, and talk to your doctor about screening.

What Are Common Misconceptions About the Prostate?

One common myth is that an enlarged prostate always leads to cancer. This is false. BPH and prostate cancer are different conditions. Having BPH does not increase your risk of getting cancer, though you can have both at the same time.

Another myth is that frequent ejaculation causes prostate problems. Some research actually suggests the opposite. A study from Harvard found that men who ejaculated more frequently — 21 or more times per month — had a lower risk of prostate cancer. The reason is not fully understood, but it may have to do with clearing out potentially harmful substances from the prostate.

Some people believe that prostate problems always cause pain. This is not true. BPH often causes urinary symptoms without any pain. Early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms at all. That is why screening is important.

A final misconception is that men cannot have sex after prostate surgery. Many men can, though erectile function may change. Nerve-sparing surgery techniques have improved outcomes. Some men experience dry orgasms — ejaculation without semen — because the prostate and seminal vesicles are removed. But desire and pleasure often remain.