The prostate gland lies beneath the bladder. It warps around the urethra, which is a conduit that drains urine from the bladder.
The prostate’s main job is to produce a milky-colored watery fluid that nourishes semen. It also transports this fluid during ejaculation. At the time of ejaculation, the prostate squeezes this fluid into the urethra, where it mixes with fluid from the seminal vesicles and sperm from the testes to become the ejaculate.
From birth to young adulthood, the prostate grows from the size of a pea to the size of a golf ball. A second growth spurt occurs in the mid- to late 40s. Often, it doubles in size by age 70. During this midlife growth spurt, the prostate grows more rapidly in the central interior part of the gland, which surrounds the urethra. A moderately enlarged gland is about the size of a plum. On the other hand, a very enlarged gland is about the size of an apple or orange. An excessively enlarged gland can reach the size of a grapefruit.
As the prostate grows, it can cause two main problems:
1. It can compress the urethra and partially or completely block urine from getting out, leading to retention.
2. It can also cause the muscles (3) at the top of the urethra to contract, making it difficult for the urethra to relax and let urine flow.
An Enlarged Prostate (EP) gland is a diagnostic term we use commonly now. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) refers more to a histological diagnosis, whereas Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) refer to the symptoms associated with these changes.
Patients often have these questions:
• Should I be concerned?
• Will I need surgery?
• Can I just go on medicines?
• What can I do to prevent this as there is a strong family history?
No single treatment choice is best for every man. What you and your doctor decide to do depends mostly on:
• The severity of your symptoms
• How bothered you are by your symptoms
Prostate symptoms self-assessment
The American Urological Association or AUA symptom index is designed to help determine the severity of urinary symptoms. Usually, these symptoms are due to prostate enlargement, but these symptoms may also be due to other urinary tract problems. For each question, pick the answer that best describes your symptoms. If you think you have problems with urination, answer the questions and print them, then discuss with your doctor.
Enlarged prostate is often associated with Erectile Dysfunction and low Testosterone.
At OPAL Clinic, we are more focused on preventing disease than treating disease. As such, we will be able to discuss the role of nutriceuticals in slowing BPH and also the prevention of cancer of the prostate. Besides standard therapies such as alpha blockers & alpha reductase inhibitors; we are able to provide through compounding various options for preventing and even halting the disease.