This may sound like a trick question at first glance: After all, how could women possibly get prostate cancer if they don’t actually have a prostate?
The short answer is no, women can’t get prostate cancer, for the sole reason that people assigned female at birth don’t have a prostate, aka a gland that’s part of the male reproductive system.
However, women do have something called Skene’s glands (or paraurethral glands). Skene’s glands are sometimes referred to as the "female prostate" because they function similarly to the male prostate.
And because, like the male prostate, they can develop cancer — albeit rarely.
Skene’s glands may be small, but they play an important role in your health. The more you know about their purpose and why they’re called the “female prostate,” the better equipped you’ll be to recognize any potential issue in the future.
Do women have a prostate?
No, women — and people assigned female at birth — do not have a traditional prostate. But they do have Skene’s glands, which are analogous to a male prostate.
Skene’s glands are two small ducts on either side of your urethra, which is the tube that lets urine leave your body. They’re called the “female prostate” because they develop from the same cells that become the prostate in males.
“Skene's glands share embryologic origins with similar features as the prostate,” explains Aleece Fosnight, PA-C, a board-certified physician assistant specializing in sexual medicine, women’s health, and urology.
The “female prostate” terminology also results from a centuries-long pattern where “medicine was studied and written about through a male-default framework,” says Fosnight. “Women's anatomy was often described as the ‘inverse’ or ‘lesser’ form of male anatomy, and our language reflects a comparative model, where women's bodies were measured against men's rather than studied on their own terms.”
What are Skene's glands (paraurethral glands)?
The Skene’s glands — also called paraurethral glands — are small, blueberry-sized glands that sit on either side of your urethra, right at the opening where urine exits your body. Due to their size and location, they’re difficult to see on your own, but they’re there!
These particular glands are named for Alexander Johnston Chalmers Skene, a Scottish-American physician who first discovered and described them in 1880.
What’s the function of paraurethral glands?
Skene’s glands may be small, but they are mighty, contributing to both your urinary and sexual health.
First and foremost, Skene’s glands provide lubrication during sexual arousal and may even release a fluid during orgasm, not unlike male ejaculation. This is because this milky fluid contains proteins similar to those found in semen. Therefore, researchers believe Skene’s glands may contribute to female ejaculation.
Secondly, research suggests that the substance secreted by the paraurethral glands also lubricates the opening to your urethra when you urinate. This fluid may have antimicrobial properties, which can potentially help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
In addition, the Skene’s glands produce something called the prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA is one of the best-known and clinically useful cancer biomarkers, widely used for prostate cancer screening.
Skene's gland cancer: What you need to know
Even though women don’t have a prostate, it is possible to develop cancer of the Skene’s glands. It’s important to keep in mind that this type of cancer is “extremely rare,” says Fosnight, “with only about 15-20 cases reported in the medical literature to date.”
Questions Women Are Asking
Symptoms to look out for are as follows:
- Painful urination
- Blood in the urine or passing from the urethra
- Pressure behind the pubic bone
- Frequent urination
- Menstrual cycle changes
- Pain during sex
- Difficulty urinating
Cancer of the Skene’s glands is usually diagnosed via an imaging test, like an MRI. In addition, about eight cases proved that this type of cancer can produce elevated PSA levels in women, which is the main reason why cancer of the Skene’s glands mimics male prostate cancer.
Potential treatments include radiation therapy (if the cancer is detected early enough). However, if the cancer is more advanced, there’s a good chance your physician will recommend surgery to remove any cancerous tumors.
As this is a very rare type of cancer, there are currently no known reports of recurrence or disease-related mortality.
Common problems with Skene's glands
Due to the rarity of cancer, any issue you may have with the Skene’s glands is more likely to be the result of either a cyst or an infection called skenitis.
Skene's gland cysts (paraurethral cysts)
An issue that can sometimes arise with Skene’s glands is cysts that form near your urethral opening (where you pee). The good news is that these cysts aren’t cancerous, and they’re pretty rare to begin with. These particular cysts are most likely caused by blockages in the Skene duct, which usually occur because of bacterial infections and inflammation.
Although Skene’s gland cysts may not produce any symptoms, some of the more common ones include:
- Frequent urination
- Pain while peeing
- An inability to urinate
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- A lump that you can feel or push on under your skin, near the opening of your urethra
If you are diagnosed with Skene’s gland cysts (typically from a pelvic exam and/or imaging tests), and they’re not causing any symptoms, your healthcare provider may advise waiting to see if the cysts resolve on their own. But if the cysts are causing painful symptoms, your physician will need to remove them. Common treatment options include:
- Therapeutic fine-needle aspiration, where fluid is drained from the cyst
- Marsupialization, where a surgeon cuts into the cyst and allows it to drain in the long term until the cyst disappears.
Paraurethral gland infection
Also known as “skenitis,” this type of inflammation or infection is the most common disorder of Skene’s glands, and can sometimes be mistaken for UTIs. Typical symptoms, says Fosnight, include:
- Pain during urination
- Increased urinary frequency/urgency
- Pelvic pain/pressure
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Tenderness around the external opening of the urethra
- Urethral discharge
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
Skenitis is usually caused by “bacterial infection (typically from a UTI such as E. Coli), sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea or chlamydia), or obstruction of the duct secondary to a cyst formation, abscess, or secondary infection,” says Fosnight.
Treatment for skenitis “typically includes antibiotics with broad-spectrum coverage targeting urinary pathogens and possible STIs,” says Fosnight. “A culture should be performed to isolate specific sensitivities to target the bacteria.” She also suggests addressing any pain with “NSAIDs, warm compresses, and sitz baths,” as they are “helpful to decrease local discomfort.”
If you are diagnosed with skenitis, you must treat this condition immediately. Untreated skenitis can cause abscesses that could require surgery.
When it comes to skenitis prevention, specifically for perimenopausal and menopausal women, Fosnight recommends “the application of local hormone therapy.”
Swollen paraurethral glands
Swollen paraurethral glands occur when the Skene’s glands are inflamed, usually due to infection or a cyst. This kind of swelling may also be the result of friction during sex, chemical irritants in hygiene products, or tight clothing that traps moisture.
It’s important to remember that some swelling of the Skene’s glands is normal, like during sexual arousal, when blood flows into the area.
But if you’re experiencing any discomfort, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
When should you see a doctor about Skene's glands?
If you are experiencing any discomfort or significant changes in your genital area, that is a sign to visit your healthcare provider. Any of the following symptoms shouldn’t be ignored:
- Persistent pain or swelling
- Visible lumps or masses
- Pain during sex or urination
- Unusual discharge
- Bleeding
At your appointment, you can expect a frank discussion about your symptoms: We get it if you feel embarrassed, but trust us, your doctor has heard it all before!
Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider may perform a pelvic exam, as well as order imaging tests, such as an MRI, to make an accurate diagnosis.
Let’s retire “female prostate” and call it what it is
So, yes, while women do have structures that are analogous to the prostate (aka Skene’s glands), they do not actually have a prostate, and thus cannot get prostate cancer.
But that doesn’t mean women aren’t at risk of cancer of the Skene’s glands, which is similar, but not identical, to prostate cancer. Keep in mind that this type of cancer is extremely rare; the more common issues that affect the Skene’s glands are cysts and skenitis, both of which are treatable.
Above all, “awareness of [the Skene’s glands] helps women better understand their bodies and advocate for appropriate evaluation when symptoms don’t match the typical UTI or vaginal infection picture,” advises Fosnight. She also advises that this awareness extend to terminology, as it is “key, both for accurate teaching and for empowering patients.”
That being said, Fosnight encourages patients to drop the term “female prostate,” and instead use terms like “paraurethral glands or “Skene’s glands.”
We deserve to feel empowered whenever we walk into our doctors’ offices. That starts with acknowledging our concerns upfront, as well as not using male terminology to describe issues with female bodies.
Sarene Leeds holds an M.S. in Professional Writing from NYU, and is a seasoned journalist dedicated to reporting on women's health, parenting, mental health, TV, and pop culture. Her work has appeared in HuffPost, Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, Vulture, SheKnows, and numerous other outlets. Subscribe to her Substack, the Critical Communicator, and follow her on Instagram, BlueSky, or Threads.
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