It is vital that, as a man, you are aware of the top three threats to your prostate. Hopefully, the prostate gland has not given you any reason to address an issue during your lifetime. As you age, the chances of developing start to increase and you might find yourself continuously searching the web for men’s vitamins or Prostate 911 reviews in search of the best health supplements.
The top three threats to your prostate vary by age. A pragmatic approach would be looking at the top 3 threats to prostate health by age. This discussion will focus on the principal danger to prostate health within the three primary age groups. Consider there is some overlap.
0 – 18 Years
The prostate does very little in the first part of a man’s life. The walnut-sized gland sits below the bladder. It is part of the reproductive system in men. This exocrine gland grows during adolescence. Functionality is testosterone driven. Consequently, it occurs with puberty. It produces no hormones of its own.
The function of the prostate gland is tri-fold.
- It produces seminal fluid.
This substance is the liquid part of the ejaculate. This fluid has an alkaline pH and is the vehicle that carries sperm cells for insemination or waste.
- It houses and communicates with the seminal vesicles.
The testes produce sperm, which travels through the vas deferens to the seminal vesicles. It is here the sperm is stored until called upon to mix with the seminal fluid.
- The smooth muscle contractions of the prostate gland during orgasm propel the sperm in the seminal fluid out of the urethra.
The urethra is the same tube carrying urine from the bladder outside the body; it is also the organ that provides the physical sensation of orgasm.
Under normal circumstances, the prostate gland throughout childhood and adolescence is indolent. Aside from trauma, no morbidities are associated with this period in life. Of course, depending upon an individual’s maturation rate and habits, the top threat to your prostate health for the next age group may also apply.
18 to 50 Years
Prostatitis is a top threat to your prostate in adulthood. Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. It comes from a variety of sources. It also can be acute or chronic.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is a medical emergency. A sexually transmitted disease usually causes it. It can, however, come from instrumentation of the urethra introducing the bacteria, with a foley catheter, for example.
Because the urethra and the prostate gland communicate with each other, it provides a route for bacteria. In addition, any infection of the urethra (urethritis) efficiently transmits to the prostate gland as the bladder continuously expels bacteria into the urine. This mechanism is another way to contract bacterial prostatitis.
Acute viral prostatitis may be a suspect when urine cultures show negative for bacteria. Several oncogenic viruses are known to infect the prostate, including human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human papillomaviruses (HPVs), and polyomaviruses BKV, JCV, and SV40.
Acute idiopathic prostatitis is common and has no known cause. There may be an infectious agent that medical science, to date, has not identified. There is one theory that may pertain to some cases of idiopathic prostatitis.
The prostate gland makes enough seminal fluid to meet demand. Consequently, an active prostate gland produces more liquid than an inactive one. The problem arises when there is an abrupt change in the need frequency.
When the prostate makes a large quantity of liquid not expelled, the pressure and pH difference to the surrounding tissues can cause inflammation. A historical treatment for this etiology in Vedic, European, and some western practices is” milking the prostate.”
This procedure applies direct pressure via the rectum to the lower lobe of the prostate gland. It effectively presses the gland and expresses seminal fluid out into the urethra. Note that this technique is not routine in conventional, modern urologic practices.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis can include:
- Fever and chills
- Suprapubic or generalized lower abdominal pain.
- Rectal pain or painful bowel movements.
- Difficulty urinating.
- Frequent urination.
- Blood in urine or ejaculate
The human body is like a computer. It does what it is programmed to do. The lesson here is consistency.
Chronic prostatitis is a case of prostatitis causing inflammation that creates a cycle of inflammation. It is inflammation that is self-perpetuating. Symptoms are associated with and similar to benign prostatic enlargement.
When the prostate enlarges, it expands inwards and can compress the urethra. This results in difficulty initiation voiding, poor stream, hesitancy, and urinary frequency.
50 and Above Years
Either prostate cancer is on the rise, or detection methods have improved. The good news is that a simple blood test can screen for almost all prostate cancers. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test has become a standard of care with routine yearly screening for men in this age group.
Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is the most common cancer of men in this age group. Interestingly, there are usually no symptoms. Yearly PSA screening can identify the disease. PSA is also used to follow treatment success and screen for recurrence.
Prostate cancer seems to follow two different paths. When identified in young men, it appears to be more virulent. If developed after age 70, the disease process seems less aggressive. Please note this is not always the case.
One study biopsied the prostate glands of men over seventy who had no history of and died of causes other than prostate cancer. The study found that a larger-than-expected percentage of these men had undiagnosed cancer of the prostate that didn’t kill them. So keep in mind age is not a reason not to be screened.
The Bottom Line
The three top threats to your prostate in all age groups are fear, denial, and apathy. Any change in your urinary or reproductive function should be evaluated sooner rather than later. When it comes down to it, it’s up to you whether or not you need supplements such as Prostate 911 or Phytage Nerve Control 911 as part of your daily wellness routine. As long as you are remembering your body and seeing a doctor when you think something is wrong, you should be okay as delays only increase the chances of a negative outcome.
Once you reach at least the age of 45 or later, you should have your prostate evaluated periodically every three to five years to ensure there are no detrimental changes and to catch any problems early enough to develop a successful treatment plan.
