What causes prostate to double in size?

The actual cause of prostate enlargement is unknown. Factors linked to aging and changes in the cells of the testicles may have a role in the growth of the gland, as well as testosterone levels. Men who have had their testicles removed at a young age (for example, as a result of testicular cancer) do not develop BPH.

medlineplus.gov - Enlarged prostate: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

What triggers DHT production?

The amount of dihydrotestosterone present in the body from day to day depends on the amount of testosterone present. When levels of testosterone...

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What is the highest stage of prostate cancer?

Stage 4 is the most advanced stage of prostate cancer and is divided into two letter groups. Stage 4 prostate cancer can have any grade group, PSA...

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The treatment you choose will be based on how bad your symptoms are and how much they bother you. Your provider will also take into account other medical problems you may have.

Treatment options include "watchful waiting," lifestyle changes, medicines, or surgery.

If you are over 60, you are more likely to have symptoms. But many men with an enlarged prostate have only minor symptoms. Self-care steps are often enough to make you feel better. If you have BPH, you should have a yearly exam to monitor your symptoms and see if you need changes in treatment.

SELF-CARE

For mild symptoms:

Urinate when you first get the urge. Also, go to the bathroom on a timed schedule, even if you don't feel a need to urinate.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine, especially after dinner.

DO NOT drink a lot of fluid all at once. Spread out fluids during the day. Avoid drinking fluids within 2 hours of bedtime. Try NOT to take over-the-counter cold and sinus medicines that contain decongestants or antihistamines. These drugs can increase BPH symptoms. Keep warm and exercise regularly. Cold weather and lack of physical activity may worsen symptoms.

Reduce stress. Nervousness and tension can lead to more frequent urination.

MEDICINES

Alpha-1 blockers are a class of drugs that are also used to treat high blood pressure. These medicines relax the muscles of the bladder neck and prostate. This allows easier urination. Most people who take alpha-1 blockers notice improvement in their symptoms, usually within 3 to 7 days after starting the medicine. Finasteride and dutasteride lower levels of hormones produced by the prostate. These drugs also reduce the size of the gland, increase urine flow rate, and decrease symptoms of BPH. You may need to take these medicines for 3 to 6 months before you notice symptoms getting better. Possible side effects include decreased sex drive and impotence. Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), which may occur with BPH. BPH symptoms improve in some men after a course of antibiotics.

Watch out for drugs that may make your symptoms worse:

SAW PALMETTO

Many herbs have been tried for treating an enlarged prostate. Many men use saw palmetto to ease symptoms. Some studies have shown that it may help with symptoms, but results are mixed, and more research is needed. If you use saw palmetto and think it works, ask your doctor if you should still take it.

SURGERY

Prostate surgery may be recommended if you have:

The choice of which surgical procedure is recommended is most often based on the severity of your symptoms and the size and shape of your prostate gland. Most men who have prostate surgery have improvement in urine flow rates and symptoms. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): This is the most common and most proven surgical treatment for BPH. TURP is performed by inserting a scope through the penis and removing the prostate piece by piece. Simple prostatectomy: It is a procedure to remove the inside part of the prostate gland. It is done through a surgical cut in your lower belly. This treatment is most often done on men who have very large prostate glands. Other less-invasive procedures use heat or a laser to destroy prostate tissue. Another less-invasive procedure works by "tacking" the prostate open without removing or destroying tissues. None have been proven to be better than TURP. People who receive these procedures are more likely to need surgery again after 5 or 10 years. However, these procedures may be a choice for:

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How long does a man last in one round?

healthymale.org.au - Ask the Doc: What's a 'normal' length of time to last during sex?

During sexual intercourse, most men ejaculate between 5-10 minutes and research has shown the average time to ejaculate after penetration is 5 1/2 minutes. Usually, ejaculation less than 1 to 1 1/2 minutes after penetration is regarded as premature ejaculation. But if this causes no distress to either partner, no treatment is necessarily required. The presence of distress in association with quick ejaculation often indicates the need for treatment. There are a few treatments including behavioural exercises, use of condoms and anaesthetic spray, as well as anti-depressant medication (also known as SSRI). This requires a doctor’s prescription and comes in two forms. SSRI medication is a very successful treatment for depression but it has a significant side effect of delaying ejaculation which is why it's sometimes prescribed for men with premature ejaculation. Want to learn more about premature ejaculation? Check out the information on our Premature Ejaculation page or browse through our resource library for fact sheets, information guides and videos on retrograde ejaculation and other ejaculation and erectile problems.

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Who is most likely to get prostatitis?

Prostatitis is the most common urinary tract problem for men younger than age 50 and the third most common urinary tract problem for men older than...

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How many years does a TURP last?

The effects of treatment last for 15 years or more. TURP does not remove the entire prostate. No incisions (cuts) are needed.

Last updated Mar 31, 2019

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What's the healthiest eye color to have?

Of all eye colors, brown seems to be the only one that could be called “advantageous” from a survival perspective. While more research is needed,...

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