Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

The prostate gland is situated beneath the bladder. It is one of the most important parts of the male sexual health. It has three important roles to play to help the male reproductive system work properly. The first and the most important job is to protect the sperm. Before ejaculation, the gland secretes a white milky fluid, and mixes it in the semen. This fluid is alkaline in nature. The purpose of this alkalinity is to help the sperm counter the acidic environment of the vaginal tract, as they journey towards the egg for fertilization. Another function of this gland is to help the semen ejaculate from the penis during a sexual act. Also, during ejaculation, this gland closes the urethra. This is why, one is unlikely to urinate during the act. All these important functions may get hampered by one of the common prostate problems, and that is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate gland.

Symptoms and Causes

BPH manifests differently from person to person. The main enlarged prostate symptoms are associated with the urinary system of the body. Common ones that are usually observed are as follows:

• The enlarged prostate gland causes difficulty in starting urinating
• Once the urination starts, it becomes difficult to completely stop it. This is known as dribbling
• The urinary system weakens
• The patient would often have a feeling as if he needs to urinate. This causes difficulty in getting proper sleep
• A sense of incomplete evacuation is also common
• Nocturia
• Other symptoms could be blood in urine, urinary tract infection, bladder stones, and kidney problem

Speaking of what causes enlarged prostate, experts only have assumptions, and not the specific answer. In most men, the prostate gland keeps on growing throughout life, without causing any problem whatsoever. However, in some, this growth can take such a rapid pace that it begins to cause urinary problems, as you can see from the symptoms. According to doctors, certain alternations in the balance of the sex hormones, as men grow older, may be a contributing factor in causing enlarged prostate in young men and older adults.

Treatment

Until the condition of benign prostatic hyperplasia causes any severe or bothersome signs and symptoms, doctors recommend patients to apply a wait-and-watch approach. Otherwise, there are various kinds of medications that help in reducing the symptoms. If drugs are ineffective, then surgical options are given. These methods mostly include removing a part of the prostate gland, to relieve urinary problems. What enlarged prostate treatment is best for a particular case is decided by the severity of the symptoms, the size of the enlargement, age, other underlying medical conditions, and also the preference of the patient.

At home, patients can follow a few self-care measures, which although won't help reducing the enlargement, but may improve the symptoms. These may include urinating as much as possible, avoiding caffeine and alcohol-based products, and abstain from medications that may interfere with normal

There is no proven way to prevent the onset of benign prostatic hyperplasia, or the urinary problems it causes. However, according to certain reports, saw palmetto extract, beta-sitosterol extracts, pygeum rye grass extract, and stinging nettle extract, do have some positive effects in managing the symptoms. Also, some people believe that regular ejaculation helps in cutting the risk of BPH. However, there is no scientific evidence to back this idea.