One of the most common health issues facing men as they grow older are uncomfortable urinary symptoms brought on by the prostate gland condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also called benign prostatic enlargement (BPE).
What Is BPH?
In BPH, the prostate gland becomes enlarged and pushes against the urethra, which can cause uncomfortable urinary and sexual problems. Symptoms of BPH include:
- Frequent urination
- Increased frequency of urination at night
- Difficulty starting a urine flow
- Weak urinary flow or a stream that stops and starts.
- Inability to completely empty the bladder
BPH occurs as men age, possibly due to an increased ratio of estrogen to testosterone in the bloodstream. By the age of 70, nearly 80% of men have some form of BPH, although not all men with an enlarged prostate experience BPH symptoms. The same symptoms are experienced by those with prostatitis, a swelling or inflammation of the prostate that is usually the result of an injury or infection.
What To Do?
While BPH-related problems may decrease an individual’s overall quality of life, they do not pose a serious health threat and are easily treatable. Most importantly, BPH is not usually associated as an increased risk for prostate cancer. Similarly, it has no connection to sexual problems or erectile dysfunction. However, those with a family history of prostate cancer may ask for a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing to screen for prostate cancer risks.
Men who may be may experiencing symptoms of prostate problems are advised to talk to their doctor or health care provider about solution options. While minimally invasive surgery may be suggested, most cases never get severe enough to warrant it. Prescription medications are effective but come with troublesome side effects. Because of this, alternative medicines and herbal supplements have grown in popularity as treatments for prostate enlargement.
No Shortage of Prostate Health Supplements
A Google search will reveal the seemingly millions of herbal prostate enlargement remedies now available online, but with so many out there, how does one choose the best? The answer is to look into the ingredients.
Natural and herbal supplements for prostate health usually include a combination of ingredients, with saw palmetto extract being the most commonly found. Derived from the berries of a type of palm native to the southeastern United States, saw palmetto supplements are also thought to promote hair growth and healthy skin, balance hormone levels, and reduce inflammation.
Other herbal ingredients known to reduce BPH symptoms include pygeum, Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin seed), rye grass pollen, quercetin, and stinging nettle. Most are bundled together in some of the more popular prostate health supplements.
An Ounce of Prevention
The key to treating an enlarged prostate is to keep it from happening in the first place, and the cornerstones of good men’s health come into play here. Regular exercise and good sleep are important, but when it comes to prostate health, you are what you eat.
Foods beneficial to prostate health include those high in omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats, green, leafy vegetables, and colorful fruit; in short, a healthy, sensible diet. Studies show that green tea can also benefit men with BPH. Foods with high levels of the powerful antioxidant lycopene, like tomatoes, pink grapefruits, and watermelon, are also recommended for a good prostate health. Lycopene is also thought to help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Zinc, selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin E, which can be found together in many multivitamins, also play important roles in maintaining healthy prostate function.
A Word of Warning
Studies on dietary supplements and herbal supplements to treat prostate problems have yielded mixed results, and it should be noted that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved any herbal medications for the treatment of an enlarged prostate. Yet, dietary supplements are considered safe until proven otherwise.
Still, check with your doctor before trying any natural remedy. Herbal supplements can have side effects and react negatively with other medications you might take.