By now you’ve probably spotted the evidence of Movember on Queen’s campus, as a plethora of mustaches have begun to sprout. Even though Movember raises funds to fight prostate cancer, it’s a lot more difficult to find information about the prostate gland than it is to find a mustache.
The prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system that excretes fluids during ejaculation. Usually no larger than a walnut, the prostate surrounds the urethra just below the bladder, and contains muscles that help to expel the ejaculate.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in North America among older males. Although Movember is doing a lot to break down the stigma associated with getting the proper check-ups to detect this cancer early on, it’s not recommended that males get a regular prostate exam until their 50s (earlier if they have a family history of prostate cancer). If you’re an average Queen’s student, that’s a lifetime or more away from now.
But that doesn’t mean that you have to wait until you’re 50 to learn about your prostate. Besides playing an important role in ejaculation, the prostate itself is incredibly sensitive and stimulation of the prostate alone is enough to bring many to orgasm.
Although the prostate is internal, it’s located so close to the anterior anal wall that it can be easily reached.
You can easily play doctor with yourself or with a partner with some gloves and water-based lubricant. Gloves are important not only to protect your fingers from feces (if there are any small cuts they could get infected), but also to protect the anus from fingernails (even if cut short, as that’s a very sensitive area), and lubricant is important because anuses aren’t self-lubricating. In lieu of gloves, you can put a finger or two inside of a condom.
If it’s your first time with anal play, it may take some time to get used to. Be sure to relax and use plenty of lubricant, and don’t rush. Massaging the anal opening with lubricant may help with this relaxation. Once you’ve penetrated the anus and are ready to search for the prostate, crook the finger(s) toward the stomach and feel for an oblong protrusion along the wall about two inches inside the rectum.
Another way to stimulate the prostate may be through perineum massage. The perineum is basically the space between the testicles and the anal opening – if anal penetration isn’t for you, this may be another way to experience the joys of a prostate massage.
Your prostate can easily bring you pain as well as pleasure, so be sure to treat it gently and be aware of any changes to it. Pain in the pelvic region, pain during urination or frequent urination, pain during ejaculation and an enlarged prostate are signs that you should visit a doctor and consider getting your prostate checked – no matter your age.
This blog is being run in conjunction with the Sexual Health Resource Centre, located in the JDUC, room 223. Follow them on Twitter @shrckingston.
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