It is believed that 50% of men at the age of 50 have symptoms of an enlarged prostate that affects their quality of life. By the age of 80, almost all men will have some uncomfortable prostate symptoms. Why? Because the prostate gland continues to grow and enlarge due to the presence of the male hormone testosterone, and as a man ages, the area where the prostate is found in the male body becomes restricted, which leads to many enlarged prostate symptoms.
A healthy, normal prostate gland is the size of a walnut and located between the bladder and the penis. The prostate is just in front of the rectum, hence why a doctor can perform a rectal examination on the prostate to feel if it is enlarged or not, or if this delicate gland is hard or soft. A two second exam can save a man’s life as prostate cancer is the second most common cancer found in the male body and is treatable if diagnosed early and treated immediately. The urethra runs through the centre of the prostate, from the bladder to the penis, letting urine flow out of the body. As the prostate enlarges, it constricts the urine flow through the urethra causing many of the uncomfortable and often embarrassing symptoms associated with prostate problems. One of the main functions of the prostate is to secrete fluid that nourishes and protects sperm once it leaves the male body.
An enlarged prostate without cancer is also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH.
Common signs and symptoms of BPH can include:
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate.
- Increased frequency of urination at night (nocturia).
- Difficulty starting urination.
- Weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts.
- Dribbling at the end of urination.
- Inability to completely empty the bladder.
Less common signs and symptoms include:
- Urinary tract infection.
- Inability to urinate.
- Blood in the urine.
The size of your prostate doesn’t necessarily determine the severity of your symptoms. Some men with only slightly enlarged prostates can have significant symptoms, while other men with very enlarged prostates can have only minor urinary symptoms. It is possible that in some men, symptoms eventually stabilise and might even improve over time.
Other possible causes of urinary symptoms
Conditions that can lead to symptoms similar to those caused by an enlarged prostate include:
- Urinary tract infection.
- Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis).
- Narrowing of the urethra (urethral stricture).
- Scarring in the bladder neck because of previous surgery.
- Bladder or kidney stones.
- Problems with nerves that control the bladder.
- Cancer of the prostate or bladder.
When to see a doctor
Ideally all men should see their GP or Urologist at least once a year from the age of 45 onwards to have the prostate checked through either a scan, rectal examination or blood test. If you are having urinary problems, discuss them with your doctor. Even if you do not find urinary symptoms bothersome, it is important to identify or rule out any underlying causes. Untreated, urinary problems might lead to obstruction of the urinary tract.
If you are unable to pass any urine, seek immediate medical attention.
Natural treatment of BPH
Treating BPH naturally is more well known today than before and here we have to say thank you to the many scientists and doctors who have done numerous clinical studies to show how a specific plant, Saw Palmetto, can benefit men with BPH. It is documented that Saw Palmetto has been used for hundreds of years by the tribes in North America for male virility and urinary problems. Today we know it has a positive benefit to men who have BPH and wish to prevent severe symptoms of BPH. In the latest research it is shown how A.Vogel Prostasan capsules that contain 320mg organic Saw Palmetto berries oil per capsule can significantly improve quality of life for men suffering from BPH.
Two high quality in vitro studies showed how Prostasan:
- Significantly inhibits growth of both hormone dependent and hormone independent human prostate cancer cells.
- Induces apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells (and other cancer cell lines).
- Inhibits inflammation driven cell growth of hormone independent prostate cancer cells.
- Inhibits growth factors in prostate cancer cells.
Further clinical trials confirm the following:
In men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), A.Vogel Prostasan:
- Significantly improves IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) scores.
- Significantly improves quality of life.
- Significantly improves Uroflow readings.
- Significantly reduces prostate volume.
In men with BPH, LUTS and sexual dysfunction – after 8 weeks on A.Vogel Prostasan men experienced:
- 52% reduction in IPSS scores.
- 40% improvement in sexual dysfunction (improved erection, libido, ejaculation problems).
- 35% improvement in quality of life.
Results were similar to studies done on allopathic medicine for the prostate but without the side effects and with improvement in sexual dysfunction.
Alfred Vogel suggested to his patients to take Prostasan from as young as 40-45 to help prevent prostate problems as far as possible and to grow old gracefully. Have regular checkups, eat well and healthy, drink enough water daily, exercise often and sleep well. Enjoying good health is a daily decision, don’t wait until it’s too late. Prevention is always better than cure.
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Quick screening tool for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
References and additional reading:
- Hostanska, K., et al., Evaluation of cell death caused by an ethanolic extract of Serenoae repentis fructus (Prostasan) on human carcinoma cell lines. Anticancer Res, 2007. 27(2): p. 873-81. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17465214/
- Iglesias-Gato, D., et al., Androgen-independent effects of Serenoa repens extract (Prostasan(R)) on prostatic epithelial cell proliferation and inflammation. Phytother Res, 2012. 26(2): p. 259-64. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21656602/
- Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa. https://prostate-ca.co.za
- Suter, A., et al., Improving BPH symptoms and sexual dysfunctions with a saw palmetto preparation? Results from a pilot trial. Phytother Res, 2013. 27(2): p. 218-26. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22522969/