PROSTATE
ENLARGEMENT:
An Alarming Prevalence in Men
by Dr. Mathew AKINLEYE
Introduction
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a gland. Its main job is to help make semen: the
fluid that carries sperm. The prostate is usually the size and shape of a
walnut. It sits underneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra; which
is the tube men urinate and ejaculate through.
The enlargement of the prostrate is when there is an increase
or expansion in size of the prostate which surrounds the urethra thereby
tightening the urethra and making fluid passage difficult.
The medical name for an enlarged prostate is Benign Prostatic
Enlargement (BPE).
Introduction
What is the prostate?
An enlarged prostate is very common in men over the age of
about 50. Not all men with an enlarged prostate get symptoms. But as
the prostate grows, it can press on the outside of the urethra, causing the
urethra to become narrow. This can slow down or sometimes even stop
the flow of urine when you try to urinate
About 1 in 3 men over the age of 50 have urinary symptoms. The most
common cause of these symptoms is an enlarged prostate.
‘Prostate Enlargement’ is not ‘Cancer of the Prostate’
Introduction
Causes
What causes an enlarged prostate?
Having an enlarged prostate is not the same as having cancer.
The cause of prostate is unknown, but is can caused in men by some
contributing factors such as:
Age
Your risk of having an enlarged prostate increases as you get older.
Many men aged 50 or over have an enlarged prostate, but they don’t all
get symptoms. And some men have symptoms that don’t bother them.
Causes
Hormone levels
Androgens are required for normal growth and function of the prostate,
a gland in the male reproductive system that helps semen.
The oestrogen regulates the reabsorption of luminal fluid in the head of
the epididymis. Disruption of the essential function causes sperm to
enter the epididymis diluted, rather than concentrated, resulting in
infertility.
Testosterone is a sex hormone that plays important roles in the body. In
men, it’s thought to regulate sex drive (libido), bone mass, fat
distribution, muscle mass and strength, and the production of red blood
cells and sperm.
Causes
Hormone levels
A small amount of circulating testosterone is converted to estradiol, a
form of estrogen.
The balance of hormones (oestrogen and testosterone) in your body
changes as you get older. This may cause your prostate to grow.
Some studies show that obese men and men who have diabetes may be
more likely to develop an enlarged prostate. Regular exercise may help
to reduce your risk of urinary problems.
Signs & Symptoms
An enlarged prostate is the most common cause of urinary problems in
men as they get older. Possible symptoms include:
A weak flow when you urinate
Needing to push or strain to start urinating
A feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly difficulty starting
to urinate
Dribbling urine after you finish urinating needing to urinate more
often than usual, especially at night
Signs & Symptoms
A sudden urge to urinate – you may sometimes leak before you get to
the toilet.
Needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
You may not get these symptoms, and some men with an enlarged
prostate don’t get any symptoms at all. These symptoms can also be
caused by other things, such as cold weather, anxiety, other health
problems, lifestyle factors, and some medicines. If you have any
symptoms, visit the doctor to find out what may be causing them.
Treatment
There are three main types of treatment for an enlarged prostate:
Lifestyle changes
There are simple changes you can make to your lifestyle that might help your
symptoms.
- Drink less alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners and fizzy drinks
- Drink less in the evening
- Empty your bladder before leaving the house
- Eat more fruit and fibre
- Keep a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
Treatment
Medicines
If lifestyle changes don’t control your symptoms, medicines may be an option.
Make sure you tell your doctor about any medicines or herbal remedies you already
use, in case they interfere with medicines for an enlarged prostate.
The main types of medicine for an enlarged prostate are:
- Alpha-blockers
- 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.
You’ll have regular check ups to talk about your symptoms and any side effects
you might be getting
Treatment
Surgery
Surgery may be an option if your symptoms don’t improve with lifestyle changes
or medicines, or if your symptoms are severe. Several different types of surgery can
be used to treat an enlarged prostate.
Complications
Complications that can result if BPH is left untreated include:
- Sudden inability to urinate
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s)
- Bladder stones
- Blood in the urine
- Bladder damage
- Kidney damage
Conclusion
Aging in the male is intimately associated with both malignant and
benign pathologic changes in the prostate. This disease both increase
with aging.
It is estimated that almost 50 percent of men will develop symptoms of
prostate enlargement in their lifetimes.
Fortunately, current medical and surgical options offer good resolution
of symptoms as current treatment options associated with early
diagnosis, along with the slow growth of prostate enlargement mean that
most men die of illnesses other than prostate enlargement.
Appreciation
Thank You!
For Listening