SRS Question....

[pickles]

Do they keep the prostate when they do SRS?

[Frances]

Yes. Women have prostates too. It's called the Skene's gland.

[DaniG]

Yes. Sex wouldn't be nearly as much fun without it!

But that means you're still at risk for prostate cancer. You still need to get checked as you get older.

[pickles]

Okay...thanks. Seemed like I remember hearing or reading it was removed. Guess I was just imagining that.

[KellyJameson]

It will shrink in size and probably will not be able to be examined except intervaginally instead of the "usual method" that I would prefer not to describe.

Something to keep your doctors alerted of in the future if you have a change of physicians.

There is a high risk of incontinence when the prostate is removed.

There is still a great deal of conflicting opinion related to cancer of the prostate and sex hormones so be vigilant in monitoring those tissues affected by sex hormones such as breasts and prostate.

[Michelle.M]

There's no reason to incur the added risk and expense of removing the prostate, especially since it atrophies as a result of HRT. In fact, after GRS you have vaginal prostate exams instead of anal exams.

[Stephanie-L]

Yes, you do keep the prostate, but it does atrophy. Since one of the treatments for prostate cancer is testosterone suppression, one would expect we would be at a lower risk for prostate cancer, but definitely not no risk..........................Stephanie

[mikiSJ]

Just a thought, but nearly half of men who die in their 70s and later have some stage of prostate cancer. It is very slow growing (most cases) and when detected in later life, is usually just "watched".