You’ve probably heard for years that the prostate is strictly "guy stuff." It’s the thing your dad or grandpa gets checked at the doctor, right? But the biology of the human body is way more fluid and overlapping than most high school health textbooks lead us to believe. If we’re being technically precise, the answer to do women have a prostate gland is a bit of a "yes and no" situation that involves a tiny, often overlooked part of the anatomy called the Skene’s gland.
It’s wild how much we still don't talk about this.
For decades, medical researchers basically ignored these glands. They were just "there." But in 2002, the Federal International Committee on Anatomical Terminology officially renamed the Skene’s gland. They called it the female prostate. So, when people ask if women have one, they aren't just making things up. It’s a recognized medical fact, even if your local GP doesn't bring it up during a routine Pap smear.
Why we even ask: Do women have a prostate gland?
Biologically, we all start from the same "blueprint" in the womb. It’s kinda like how both men and women have nipples, even though they serve a functional purpose for only one sex most of the time. Around the fourth month of gestation in a male fetus, the prostate develops from the same tissue that becomes the Skene’s gland in a female fetus. They are homologous.
That’s a fancy way of saying they come from the same origin story.
The Skene's glands are located on the front wall of the vagina, right near the lower end of the urethra. They are small. Really small. We are talking about something that is often difficult to see with the naked eye, which is probably why they were "discovered" and then forgotten so many times in medical history. Alexander Skene, a Scottish gynecologist, described them in the late 1800s, but even he wasn't the first.
It’s about more than just "plumbing"
Most people think of the prostate as a gatekeeper for reproductive fluid. In men, it produces the alkaline fluid that makes up a huge chunk of semen. In women, the Skene’s gland does something remarkably similar. It produces a fluid that contains prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP).
Wait, PSA?
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Yeah. That same protein doctors measure in men to screen for prostate cancer is produced by women too. If you’ve ever wondered about the phenomenon of "female ejaculation," many researchers, including those who published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, point directly to the Skene’s gland as the source. It’s not urine. It’s a substance chemically very similar to male seminal fluid.
The medical side of the "female prostate"
The Skene’s gland isn't just a fun trivia fact; it can actually cause real health issues. Because it’s so similar to the male prostate, it can suffer from some of the same problems.
You can get Skene’s duct cysts. These happen when the ducts get blocked. It feels like a small, sometimes painful lump near the opening of the urethra. Doctors often misdiagnose these as simple urinary tract infections (UTIs) or even bladder stones because they just don't think to look at the "female prostate" first.
Then there’s the big C.
Can women get prostate cancer? It is incredibly rare. Like, "medical journal case study" rare. But because the Skene’s gland is made of the same tissue as a male prostate, it can develop cancerous cells. When it happens, the symptoms usually involve blood in the urine or pain during urination. Because PSA is present, a blood test might actually show elevated levels, just like it would in a man with prostate issues.
Honest talk: most doctors will go through their entire careers without seeing a case of Skene’s gland cancer. But knowing it exists matters because it helps women advocate for themselves when something feels "off" in a way a standard UTI test can't explain.
Exploring the functionality and pleasure aspect
We can't talk about the Skene’s gland without talking about the G-spot. There is a massive overlap here. Many anatomists believe that what people call the G-spot is actually the internal structure of the Skene’s gland being stimulated through the vaginal wall.
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It’s sensitive.
When stimulated, these glands can swell with blood, much like other erectile tissue. This is why some women experience intense pleasure from specific types of internal pressure, while others find it uncomfortable. Everyone’s anatomy is slightly different. Some women have larger, more active Skene’s glands, while others have ones that are barely there.
There was a study by Dr. Milan Zaviačič, a pioneer in this specific niche of human anatomy, who spent years documenting the variations in these glands. He argued that the term "female prostate" wasn't just a nickname—it was the only accurate way to describe the organ's function and structure. He found that the glands secrete proteins that might have antimicrobial properties, helping to protect the urinary tract from infections.
Think about that for a second. Your "female prostate" might be a tiny bodyguard for your bladder.
Why don't we know more?
Medical bias is a real thing. For a long time, research was centered on the male body as the "default." If an organ didn't have a clear, obvious role in pregnancy or childbirth, it was often dismissed as "vestigial" or unimportant. The Skene’s gland fell into that trap.
Even today, you’ll find some medical diagrams that just... leave it out. They show the bladder, the urethra, the vagina, and nothing in between.
But things are changing. With better imaging technology like high-resolution MRIs, we are seeing the complexity of the female pelvic floor in ways that weren't possible thirty years ago. We are learning that the "female prostate" is part of a complex network of nerves, blood vessels, and glands that all work together.
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Practical health takeaways
If you’re wondering how this affects your daily life, it usually comes down to three things: infections, cysts, and "mystery" pain.
- Recurrent UTIs: Sometimes, what feels like a bladder infection is actually "Skenitis"—inflammation or infection of the Skene’s glands. If antibiotics for a UTI aren't working, it might be worth asking a urologist about this.
- Cysts: If you feel a lump near your urethra, don't panic. It’s often a Skene’s cyst. They are usually benign but might need a doctor to drain them if they get uncomfortable.
- PSA levels: If you ever have a blood test that shows PSA (which is rare unless specifically looked for), it doesn't mean you're "turning into a man" or anything weird. It just means your Skene’s gland is active.
It’s kinda cool, actually. Your body has these hidden layers that science is still mapping out.
Moving forward with your health
The next time you're at the gynecologist, don't be afraid to use the terminology. If you have pain during sex or when you pee that doesn't fit the "usual" explanations, mention the Skene’s gland.
Knowledge is power.
You deserve to know how your body works, from the major organs down to the tiny, "male-equivalent" glands that have been hiding in plain sight. If you suspect an issue, keep a log of when the pain happens. Is it tied to your cycle? Does it happen after intimacy? This data is gold for a specialist.
Seek out a urogynocologist if you feel like your concerns aren't being heard. They are the bridge between urology and gynecology, and they are usually much more familiar with the nuances of the Skene’s gland than a general practitioner might be.
Stay curious about your own biology. It’s way more interesting than the simplified versions we get in school.
Check your symptoms against a specialist's advice. If you have persistent pelvic pain, request a pelvic exam that specifically looks at the urethral area. Don't settle for "it’s probably just stress" or "some pain is normal." It usually isn't. Take charge of your pelvic health by understanding that every part of your anatomy, no matter how small or "ignored" by history, has a purpose and a place.