One of the most common health problems affecting men is:
Prostate Enlargement
Introduction:
The
prostate gland is an organ in the male reproductive system, which
includes the penis, prostate, and testicles. The prostate is located
directly under the bladder and in front of the rectum. It weighs about
20 grams and is roughly the size of a walnut. The prostate gland
consists of muscular tissue, glandular tissue, and a coarse fibrous
surface. It secretes a thick, whitish fluid that helps transport sperm.
Overview:
- Prostate enlargement is a common medical condition affecting men.
- Symptoms usually begin after the age of 50.
- Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms.
- Lifestyle changes help in managing prostate enlargement.
Definition:
Prostate
enlargement is a common medical condition that occurs as men age. It
can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as obstruction of urine
flow out of the bladder. It may also lead to bladder, urinary tract, or
kidney problems. Prostate enlargement affects about 8% of men aged 31–40
and about 80% of men by the age of 80.
Other Terms
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate hypertrophy.
Causes:
The
causes of prostate enlargement are not clearly known. However, it may
be linked to changes in the balance of sex hormones as men age.
Risk Factors:
- Aging.
- Family history.
- Diabetes or heart disease.
- Obesity.
Symptoms:
Symptoms
vary in type and severity from one person to another but worsen with
age. They typically begin after age 50 and include:
- Difficulty starting urination.
- Frequent urination during day and night.
- Incomplete emptying of the bladder.
- Weak or interrupted urine stream.
- Dribbling at the end of urination.
- In some cases, untreated prostate inflammation may cause urinary retention, making it impossible to empty the bladder.
When to See a Doctor?
- Complete inability to urinate.
- Painful, frequent, urgent urination with chills and fever.
Blood in urine.
- Severe discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen.
- Recurrent urinary tract infections.
- Acute urinary retention.
- Bladder stones.
- Hematuria (blood in urine).
- Kidney failure.
- Bladder damage
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis
is made by a physician based on medical history and symptoms, including
family history of prostate enlargement. Tests include:
- Rectal exam.
- Urine analysis.
- Blood tests.
Treatment:
Some patients with mild prostate enlargement may not need treatment, while others may require:
Medications such as:
Alpha-blockers: These relax the muscles of the prostate and bladder neck, allowing urine to flow more easily.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors: These drugs prevent further growth of the prostate or even reduce its size.
- • Additional medications may be prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction.
Catheterization or surgery for patients with:
- Kidney failure
- Urinary retention
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Recurrent bladder stones
• Lifestyle changes:
- Avoid
drugs that worsen symptoms or cause retention, such as some
antihistamines (diphenhydramine/Benadryl) and decongestants
(pseudoephedrine in cold medications).
- Avoid drinking fluids a few hours before bedtime or going out.
- Reduce intake of drinks that increase urination, such as caffeine.
- When urinating, empty the bladder, wait a minute, and try again.
FAQs:
Does prostate enlargement affect fertility?
Any
prostate enlargement can interfere with sperm transport since it may
compress the ejaculatory ducts and prevent semen formation.
Does prostate enlargement affect sexual performance?
Prostate
enlargement itself does not cause erectile dysfunction, but some
treatments may. Other available drugs do not have this side effect.
Surgical removal of the prostate may cause erectile dysfunction in some
men.
Misconceptions:
Prostate enlargement increases the risk of prostate cancer.
Truth: There is no link between them.
Prostatitis
Overview:
- Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, usually caused by infection.
- It can occur at any age, though the cause is unclear in most cases.
- Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial prostatitis; in rare cases, surgery may be needed.
- Diet and nutrition do not play a role in causing or preventing prostatitis.
The Prostate:
The
prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system, located under
the bladder and in front of the rectum. It weighs about 20 grams and is
the size of a walnut. It secretes a whitish fluid that helps transport
sperm.
Definition:
Prostatitis
is a common condition that causes inflammation (swelling) of the
prostate, often painful. It can affect men of all ages but is most
common between ages 30–50.
Other Terms:
Prostate inflammation.
Types:
- Chronic
prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: The most common type; caused
by inflammation and nerve irritation rather than infection.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis: Caused by bacterial infection, uncommon; symptoms come and go over a long time.
- Acute
bacterial prostatitis: Sudden, severe infection of the prostate caused
by bacteria; symptoms are acute, painful, and require urgent treatment.
- Asymptomatic prostatitis: Inflammation without symptoms or infection, usually discovered incidentally.
Causes:
Most
cases of prostatitis have no clear cause. Bacterial prostatitis results
from infection. Non-bacterial cases may be linked to stress, nerve
inflammation, irritation, injuries, or previous urinary tract
infections.
Risk Factors:
- Urinary tract infection.
- Use of a urinary catheter.
- Sexually transmitted infections.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Pelvic trauma
- Age (30–50 years).
- Previous prostatitis.
- Sexual violence.
Symptoms:
Symptoms vary, and some men may have none. Others may notice:
- Difficulty starting urination.
- Weak or interrupted urine flow.
- Frequent urination, especially at night.
- Incomplete bladder emptying.
- Pain or burning during urination.
- Blood in urine or semen
- Pain in lower back, hips, or pelvis
- Painful ejaculation.
Note: These symptoms may also be caused by conditions other than prostate cancer.
When to See a Doctor?
- Pain in the pelvis, difficulty urinating, or painful ejaculation.
- Complete inability to urinate or blood in urine.
- Painful, frequent, urgent urination with fever and chills.
- Pain in lower abdomen or urinary tract.
Complications:
- Bacterial infection in the bloodstream.
- Prostatic abscess (pus-filled cavity in prostate).
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Inflammation of nearby genital organs.
Diagnosis:
- Each type of prostatitis requires different treatment. Tests may include:
- Medical history.
- Physical exam.
- Other tests: prostate fluid and urine tests, rectal exam, semen analysis, cystoscopy, ultrasound, or CT scan.
Treatment:
Prostatitis
is treatable, depending on its type. If not curable, symptoms can
usually be managed. Treatments include antibiotics, alpha-blockers (to
relax the bladder neck and prostate muscles, easing urination), and
anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief. Rarely, surgery may be
required.
Guidelines for Patients:
- Avoid foods that trigger symptoms (caffeine, spicy foods, citrus).
- Warm baths relieve pain and pressure.
- Use a cushion when sitting for long periods.
- Drink plenty of fluids to flush bacteria from the bladder.
- Avoid activities that worsen pain (e.g., cycling).
FAQs:
Does diet affect prostatitis?
Researchers
agree that diet and nutrition do not cause or prevent prostatitis.
However, during treatment, specialists may recommend increased fluids
and avoiding bladder irritants.
Does chronic prostatitis increase cancer risk?
Some studies suggest a link between prostatitis and prostate cancer risk, while others find no association.
Prostate Cancer
Introduction:
The
prostate is part of the male reproductive system, located under the
bladder and in front of the rectum. It weighs about 20 grams, the size
of a walnut, and secretes a whitish fluid that helps transport sperm.
Definition:
Prostate
cancer occurs when prostate cells divide uncontrollably. As men age,
the prostate tends to enlarge, causing narrowing of the urethra and
reduced urine flow (benign prostatic hyperplasia), which is not the same
as prostate cancer.
Risk Factors:
Age: Risk increases with age.
Family history: Risk is higher if other men in the family have had prostate cancer.
Obesity: Obese men diagnosed with prostate cancer are more likely to develop advanced, hard-to-treat disease.
Symptoms:
Symptoms vary, and some men may have none. Others may notice:
- Difficulty starting urination.
- Weak or interrupted urine flow.
- Frequent urination, especially at night.
- Incomplete bladder emptying.
- Pain or burning during urination.
- Blood in urine or semen
- Pain in lower back, hips, or pelvis
- Painful ejaculation.
Note: These symptoms may also be caused by conditions other than prostate cancer.
When to See a Doctor?
If you experience the above symptoms with any risk factors.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis aims to detect cancer before symptoms develop, allowing early treatment. Tests include:
- Rectal exam (manual examination to assess prostate size).
- PSA
blood test (Prostate-Specific Antigen): PSA levels may rise with
prostate enlargement, inflammation, or cancer. A biopsy may be done to
confirm diagnosis.
- Biopsy:
The main tool for diagnosis, involving removal of a small tissue sample
for examination under a microscope. Imaging (ultrasound, CT) may help
guide the biopsy.
Treatment:
Treatment is decided by doctor and patient based on the cancer stage and condition:
- Active surveillance: Regular biopsies, blood tests, and exams to monitor slow-growing cancers.
- Surgery: Radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate, surrounding tissues, and lymph nodes).
- Radiation therapy: High-energy rays to kill cancer cells (internal or external).
- Cryotherapy: Freezing tissue to destroy cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: Special drugs to shrink or destroy cancer cells, administered orally or by injection.
- Biological
therapy (immunotherapy): Helps the immune system fight cancer or manage
treatment side effects. High-intensity focused ultrasound: Destroys
cancer cells using sound waves.
- Hormone therapy: Blocks hormones that cancer cells need to grow.