The prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland (normally 3.5-4.0 cm) that is found in males only. It surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra-- the tube through which the urine passes. The prostate gland secretes a thin, opalescent fluid during ejaculation that makes up part of the semen. This fluid can be thought of as the liquid in which the sperm cells "swim." Prostate problems are often without pain, but when pain does occur due to the prostate gland it is usually felt at the anus and may occur after ejaculation. Sometimes the prostate gland refers pain to the low back but this is not usual with the most common prostate problem, benign prostatic hyperplasia or benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common conditions affecting men past the age of 50. At about the age of 40 to 45, the prostate gland starts becoming progressively enlarged. This can result in restriction of urinary flow and symptoms such as dysuria (difficulty or pain during urination), increased urinary frequency (having to urinate often), urgency (the need to "go" now!), hesitancy (trouble starting urination), decreased pressure behind the stream, and nocturia (the need to go often during the night.) If BPH persists or becomes severe, it can result in stasis of the urine leading to urinary tract infections and possibly to damage to the kidneys. More often, BPH is just a nuisance, interfering with quality of life and disturbing normal sleep. BPH rarely improves spontaneously, it usually either remains the same for years or gradually gets worse.