What does my prostate do? It is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It's supposed to be about the shape and size of a walnut.

It rests below your bladder and in front of your rectum. It surrounds part of the urethra, the tube in your penis that carries pee from your bladder.

The prostate helps make some of the fluid in semen, which carries sperm from your testicles when you ejaculate.

 

This gland can grow

As you age, your prostate can become larger. It's a normal part of aging for most men.

By the time you reach age 40, your prostate might have gone from the size of a walnut to the size of an apricot. By the time you reach 60, it might be the size of a lemon.

Because it surrounds part of the urethra, the enlarged prostate can squeeze that tube. This causes problems when you try to pee. Typically, you won't see these problems until you're 50 or older, but they can start earlier.

 

Who might get an enlarged prostate?

BPH is common and cannot be prevented.

Age and a family history of BPH are two things that increase the chances you might get it.

1. about 8 out of every 10 men eventually develop an enlarged prostate;
2. about 90% of men over the age of 85 will have BPH;
3. about 30% of men will find their symptoms bothersome.

 

Symptoms

If you have trouble starting to urinate or have to go a lot, especially at night, these could be signals that you have an enlarged prostate.

Other signs and symptoms include:

1. Your bladder doesn't empty completely after you pee.

2. You feel the need to go out of the blue with no sensation of build up.

3. You may stop and start several times.

4. You have to strain to get any flow going.

 

Prostatitis is a swelling, inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. It can cause burning or painful urination, the urgent need to urinate, difficult or painful ejaculation, or pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum or in the lower back. It can occur to men at any age and should not be confused with cancer.

 

There are four types of prostatitis:

1. acute bacterial prostatitis;

2. asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis;

3. chronic bacterial prostatitis;

4. chronic prostatitis.

 

Prostate Cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men about 1 in 7 will be diagnosed during his lifetime and is the second leading cause of cancer death in men.

It is also one of the most treatable cancers, which is why it is crucial to seek annual screening and early diagnosis.

Symptoms are similar to BPH, and some men may not even experience any symptoms.

A prostate exam (digital rectal exam) and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test are used to screen for prostate cancer.

The PSA test measures the amount of a protein in your blood that is only produced by prostate tissue, called prostate specific antigens.

The American Cancer Society says men should talk to their doctors about the benefits, risks, and limits of prostate cancer screening before deciding whether to be tested.

 

This discussion should take place:

1. at age 50 for men with an average chance for prostate cancer;

2. at age 45 for men with a higher chance for the condition, this includes African Americans and men who have a father, brother, or son who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer at 65 or younger;

3. at age 40 for men who have more than 1 first degree relative, diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age.

The Urological Association recommends that men ages 55 to 69 who are considering screening should talk with their doctor about the risks and benefits of testing and make the decision based on their personal situation and needs.

 

The group does not suggest screening for:

1. men 39 and younger;

2. men who are 40 to 54 and have only an average chance of getting cancer.

 

Disease prevention. Watch your weight.

 

Obesity is associated with many health issues. It has been seen to increase the risk of:

1. diabetes;

2. liver disease;

3. gallbladder disease;

4. coronary heart disease;

5. colon cancer.

 

If you're not receiving enough sleep, it can increase your risk of developing diabetes. Less than six hours of sleep per night also raises the chance of colon cancer by 50%.

 

Reduce alcohol consumption. If you do drink, try to limit your alcohol consumption to less than two drinks per day. Men who drank roughly four beers per day were also found to have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

 

Drink plenty of water. You should aim to drink eight to nine cups of water each day. On average, your body expels on average over 10 cups of fluids throughout the day. Staying hydrated also aids in weight loss and control.