Medical dictionary

What is premature ejaculation? Premature ejaculation is a common type of sexual dysfunction in which a man experiences an orgasm and ejaculates (ejects semen) sooner than he or his partner desire, often soon after sexual intercourse has begun or with little stimulation.   What counts as premature? What exactly counts as “premature” ejaculation is somewhat hard to d

What is priapism? Priapism is a prolonged and painful erection of the penis that is not associated with sexual stimulation and can last between at least four hours to several days. It occurs when the penis begins to fill with blood, as it would during a normal erection, but the blood does not drain properly as the sex organs become blocked, or the systems that relax the organs fail. It is an un

What is the prostate?   The prostate is a gland of the male urinary and reproductive system a little larger than a walnut. It is located between the bladder and the penis, behind the intestine, with the urethra running through it.      What is the function of the prostate?   The main function of the prostate is to produce prostatic fluid, which is

What is a prostate biopsy?A prostate biopsy is a test which is done in order to take small samples of tissue from the prostate, which are then looked at in more detail and analysed.  What does it involve?There are generally two types of prostate biopsy. The first is called TRUS (transrectal ultrasound) guided biopsy. First, an ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum to allow im

What is prostate cancer? Prostate cancer is the type of cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate is part of the male reproductive system and is an organ that surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. The prostate is responsible for producing seminal fluid. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with 1 in 8 men affected. Every year, 11,000 me

What is a prostatectomy? A prostatectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the prostate. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland only found in men, located between the bladder and the penis. It can be afflicted by a number of conditions, including prostate cancer. A simple prostatectomy is a procedure that only removes part of the prostate. A radical prostatecto

​​What is prostatitis? Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate, a gland located under the male urinary bladder that helps produce semen. It is not a common disorder of the male genitourinary system, but can be distressing and cause severe illness. What symptoms does it present? Symptoms vary depending on whether or not the inflammation is caused by bacterial infection. The most

What is a PSA test?The PSA test is a blood test that measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. This is a protein produced by normal and abnormal cells in the prostate, but too much PSA may suggest problems with the prostate.  Why is it done?The PSA test is done to assess a man's risk of prostate cancer. Early detection of prostate

What is rectocele? Rectocele, also known as posterior vaginal prolapse, is a condition in which the tissue wall between the rectum and vagina weakens. This allows the vaginal wall to bulge. Childbirth and processes that put pressure on pelvic tissues can lead to rectocele. Self-care measures are often very effective but severe rectocele may require surgical repair. What are the symptoms