Prostate Health
Tori Douglas on Oct 31st 2019
Prostate health is one of, if not the most important topic in men’s health. The prostate, a gland about the size of a golf ball, is located under the bladder, in front of the rectum. It wraps around the urethra, making its health and proper function vital to urination, sexual function in general, and ejaculation. There are three main conditions that affect the prostate.
Prostatitis is an infection or inflammation of the prostate. It is marked by a burning sensation with urination, urgent need to urinate, and dysfunction with ejaculation.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is enlargement of the prostate gland, usually related to aging. The enlargement of the gland puts pressure on the urethra, causing bladder and sexual issues.
Prostate cancer is the growth of cancer cells within the gland, which can be distributed to other glands, organs, or tissues throughout the body. In the United States, one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
As with any other area of the body, steps can, and should, be taken to improve prostate health and lessen the risk of conditions arising. The simplest, and usually hardest, step is to adopt a healthy diet and exercise routine. Getting plenty of veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats, while cutting down on red meats, sugar, and salt are great for overall health. This diet, along with exercise and vitamin D from getting out in the sun can help the prostate gland stay healthy and working as it should. An Italian study has shown that men who live a sedentary lifestyle were more prone to prostate problems and enlargement.
Regular screening can improve prostate health by taking control of your health issues and risks. Screenings include a physical prostate exam, and blood tests to detect prostate specific antigens. While all men should take advantage of screening, certain populations have shown a greater risk for prostate conditions. These groups include African Americans, men of Scandinavian descent, and those who have a family history of prostate issues or prostate cancer. Please consult your health care provider for more information, and to decide if screening is right for your health situation.
The role of ejaculation in relation to prostate cancer is currently up for debate. While past studies have seemed to link frequent ejaculation with higher risk of prostate cancer, recent research disagrees. While the researchers involved are not recommending men change their sexual activity, a study now suggests men who reported 21 or more ejaculations per month in their 40s had a 32% lower risk of prostate cancer later in life compared with those who reported between four and seven ejaculations per month. This study, published in April of 2019, found the risk of prostate cancer lowered with the frequency of ejaculations, especially as men age.
While some factors are out of our control, there are always steps that can be taken to improve health and wellness, and better our chances to avoid prostate and other health issues.