The question of whether women possess a prostate gland is often misunderstood due to differences in anatomical terminology. While women lack the large, singular prostate gland found in males, they possess a structure considered its biological counterpart. This analogous structure shares embryological origins, anatomical positioning, and chemical similarities with the male prostate. Understanding this relationship requires comparing the male organ to the female paraurethral structure.
Defining the Male Prostate
The male prostate gland is a fibromuscular and glandular organ situated in the pelvis, immediately below the bladder. It completely surrounds the initial segment of the urethra, the tube responsible for carrying urine and semen out of the body. This organ is roughly the size of a walnut in a healthy adult male, though it often enlarges with age.
The primary function of the prostate is producing a thin, milky fluid that constitutes 20 to 30 percent of the total volume of semen. This fluid contains enzymes and substances important for sperm function and fertility. Muscle tissue within the prostate contracts during ejaculation to propel the seminal fluid into the urethra. One substance secreted is Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), a proteolytic enzyme that helps liquefy the semen to aid in sperm mobility. The production of this enzyme is commonly used as a clinical marker for prostate health.
Anatomy of the Paraurethral Glands
The homologous structure in women is the paraurethral glands, historically called Skene’s glands. These branched, tubular glands are located in the anterior wall of the vagina, surrounding the distal portion of the urethra. They are the largest component of the female paraurethral gland complex.
These structures are homologous to the male prostate, developing from the same embryonic tissue, the urogenital sinus. The glands are consistently present in all biological females, though their size varies. They connect to the surface via small ducts that typically open on either side of the urethral meatus. This anatomical arrangement, where glandular tissue surrounds the urethra and drains into it, mirrors the male prostate’s structure. The glands are lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium and embedded within fibromuscular tissue.
Function and Chemical Similarity
The paraurethral glands function as secretory organs, releasing a fluid that contributes to sexual and urinary health. During sexual arousal, the surrounding tissues swell with blood, stimulating the glands to produce and release a mucus-like fluid. This secretion helps lubricate the urethral opening and the vulvar vestibule.
The fluid’s chemical composition provides strong evidence for classifying the glands as a “female prostate.” Analysis shows the fluid contains high concentrations of substances associated with the male prostate, including Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP). PSA’s presence here mirrors its role in males. Beyond lubrication, the fluid has protective functions, possessing antimicrobial properties that may help prevent ascending bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections. This fluid is also the source of the clear, whitish liquid associated with female ejaculation, which is distinct from the larger volume of fluid sometimes referred to as “squirting.”
Terminology and Related Health Issues
Historically, the structure was named Skene’s glands after the gynecologist who described them in the late 19th century. Modern anatomical nomenclature, however, prefers the term paraurethral glands due to their location near the urethra. Recognition of their shared embryological origin and chemical output has led to the informal, but increasingly accepted, term “female prostate.”
The paraurethral glands can be the source of specific health issues, separate from general urinary or vaginal infections. The most common disorder is skenitis, the infection and inflammation of the glands. Skenitis can cause symptoms similar to a urinary tract infection, such as painful or frequent urination, along with swelling and pain around the urethral opening. If a duct becomes blocked, secretions accumulate, forming a paraurethral cyst (Skene’s duct cyst). These cysts are usually benign, but if they grow large, they can cause irritation, pain during sexual activity, or obstruct urine flow. Though rare, the glands can also be the site of a specific type of cancer.