Prostate Gland Problems

Most problems connected with the prostate gland are not caused by cancer.

Problems with the prostate commonly affect men over the age of 50 and chances of prostate problems increase with age.

In young men, the prostate is the size of a walnut. The prostate gradually increases in size with age. This enlargement can cause problems with the urinary system. By the age of 70, as many as 90% of men have a prostate enlargement that can be detected by a digital rectal physical examination and symptoms of BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia).  BPH is caused by this enlargement and results in gradual pressure on the urethra. This 'squeezing' sometimes causes difficulty in starting to urinate, increased frequency in urination especially at night and a tendency to dribble afterwards.

BHP is not cancer and is not thought to increase the risk of getting it. Generally, sexual functioning is not interfered with.

Prostate enlargement is not in itself enough to warrant treatment. Instead, periodic examinations are usually performed to check on this condition. However, if the symptoms become more troublesome, then treatment may be required.

Should treatment become necessary, then medication may be used which reduces the male hormone testosterone in the body resulting in a shrinkage of the prostate gland. Another method is surgery where the enlarged tissue is removed.

Prostatitis, which is inflammation, is another problem that can affect the prostate gland. Acute bacterial prostatitis is an acute infection of the gland caused by bacteria. Symptoms can be chills and fever, pain in the lower back or rectum and some pain while urinating.  Chronic bacterial prostatitis which is a recurrent infection of the prostate can be accompanied by painful urination and genital pain.  Nonbacterial prostatitis causes prostate inflammation, but without the signs of infection. Symptoms are pain or difficulty with urination.  The diagnosis of prostatitis is usually by a digital rectal examination.

Acute and chronic prostatitis are routinely treated by antibiotics. Nonbacterial prostatitis is treated with medications that will reduce the urinary symptoms.

Digital rectum examinations may show a need for a biopsy which can confirm the presence of prostate cancer.

Treatment options are surgery, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy or radiation.

If you are showing symptoms of BPH, Saw Palmetto has been shown to block the formation of DHT, the hormone which causes the prostate gland to grow.  Studies have been inconsistent, but many men swear by it.