There are some parts of our body that we don't think about or talk about much. But they silently perform very important functions in our body. So, today we are going to talk about a very important organ in the male reproductive system, but which many people have not even heard of. That is the Seminal Vesicles , or as they are called in English. This name may be new to you. But the importance of these to a man's reproductive health is not insignificant. So, let's talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.
Simply put, what are these seminal vesicles?
The seminal vesicles are a type of gland in the male reproductive system. Simply put, they are like two small sacs. Their main function is to produce the fluids needed to make seminal fluid, or what we commonly call 'ejaculate' (semen).
Many people think that semen is all about sperm. But that's not true. Semen is a combination of sperm and several other fluids. Surprisingly, between 50% and 80% of your semen volume is made up of the fluid produced by these seminal vesicles. That means you can't do without them.
So what happens to this liquid?
Think of sperm as passengers on a long, difficult journey. So the fluid produced by these seminal vesicles provides the passengers with the energy, protection, and vehicle they need for their journey. This fluid mainly contains a few things:
- Fructose: This is a type of sugar. The energy needed for sperm to move is mainly provided by fructose. It is like gasoline for a car.
- Prostaglandins: These are very special chemicals. When sperm enter a woman's vagina, the vaginal immune system sees them as an "invader." At that time, these prostaglandins relax the muscles of the vagina, helping the sperm travel safely to the uterus.
- Alkaline fluid: A woman's vagina is naturally slightly acidic. This acidity can kill sperm. This alkaline fluid, which comes from the seminal vesicles, neutralizes that acidity and creates a suitable environment for sperm to live.
- Clotting factors: You may have noticed that after ejaculation, the semen becomes a bit thicker and jelly-like. This is because of these clotting factors. This prevents the sperm from flowing out of the vagina and gives them more time to travel towards the uterus.
Have you noticed how big a job these two little glands do? They don't just give sperm a liquid to swim in, they provide everything they need to make their journey successful.
Where are these located? How do they look?
The seminal vesicles are located behind your urinary bladder and in front of your rectum. They are connected to the prostate gland.
From the outside, they look like two tightly coiled sacs. Each is about 5 centimeters long (a little less than 2 inches). But when the coil is unrolled, it is about twice as long. Inside these are glandular tissue and muscle tissue. During ejaculation, these muscles contract, combining the fluid inside with the sperm and pushing it out through the urethra.
Simply put, the sperm are like a "support team" for sperm. They provide them with food, water, protection, and help them reach their destination.
Diseases and health problems affecting the seminal vesicles
Like any other organ, the seminal vesicles can develop various diseases and problems. Although these are not very common, it is important to be aware of them. Let's take a look at the main problems that can occur.
| Condition | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Seminal vesicle stones | Just like kidney stones, minerals can accumulate inside the seminal vesicles and form stones. This can cause pain and discomfort during ejaculation. |
| Infections (Infections - vesiculitis or spermatocystitis) | These can become infected and swollen by bacteria or other microorganisms. This condition is called vesiculitis or spermatocystitis. People with diseases such as tuberculosis are at higher risk of this condition. |
| Cysts | These can look like small, fluid-filled cysts. Most of the time, these are harmless and go away without treatment. However, sometimes they can cause symptoms such as lower abdominal pain and pain when urinating (dysuria). |
| Tumors | It is very rare for these to become cancerous. It is usually caused by the spread of cancer from the prostate or colon. |
| Congenital conditions | Some people may be born with one or both testicles missing. Or they may not develop properly. This can cause infertility. |
| Problems related to other diseases | Other medical conditions, such as diabetes and cystic fibrosis, can also affect the function of the seminal vesicles. |
Although we cannot prevent all of these situations, we can protect our reproductive health to some extent. It is especially important to wear protective equipment (athletic cups) when playing sports and to practice safe sex .
How do you know if there's a problem? Watch out for these symptoms
If there is a problem with your sperm, your body can give you some clues. If you have one or more of these symptoms, it is best to seek medical advice.
- Infertility: Trying to have a child but not succeeding.
- Blood in the semen (hematospermia): Blood in the semen. This may appear brown or red.
- Pain in the lower abdomen or groin area.
- Pain during ejaculation.
- Pain or burning when urinating.
- Urinary hesitancy: Difficulty starting to urinate or a weak urine stream.
- Decreased ejaculate volume: A significant decrease in the amount of semen that is normally ejaculated.
Don't panic if you see these symptoms. Not all of these symptoms are signs of a serious illness. However, it's not a good idea to ignore them. The best thing to do is to see your family doctor and talk about this.
How does a doctor diagnose and treat these?
When you go to see a doctor with the symptoms mentioned above, the first thing he or she will do is ask you questions and take a medical history. Then, if necessary, they may order several tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Diagnostic tests
- Urinalysis: To check for infection.
- Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS): A small instrument is inserted through the rectum to obtain clear images of the seminal vesicles and prostate gland.
- Digital rectal exam (DRE): The doctor will examine the rectum with his hand to check for any unusual lumps or swellings.
- CT scan, MRI scan or PET scan: These can produce clearer, more detailed images of the inside of the body.
What treatments are provided?
The treatment depends entirely on your condition, so there is no one-size-fits-all treatment.
- Antibiotics: If the problem is a bacterial infection.
- Paracentesis: If there is fluid-filled cysts that are causing pain, the fluid can be removed with a syringe.
- Surgery: Minor surgery may be needed to remove stones, large cysts, or lumps.
- Radical prostatectomy: This surgery may be necessary if prostate cancer has spread to the seminal vesicles.
The most important thing is that the doctor who examines you will decide the most appropriate treatment for you. So don't try to self-treat based on what you find online.
Take-Home Message
- The seminal vesicles are two very important, yet less talked about, glands in the male reproductive system.
- These produce a large portion of your semen, which is essential for nourishing, protecting, and strengthening sperm.
- Don't ignore symptoms such as blood in your semen, pain when ejaculating, lower abdominal pain, or difficulty urinating.
- If you have any of these problems, do not hesitate to see your doctor (doctor) for advice. Early diagnosis is very important for successful treatment.
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