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Are Prostate Problems Part Of Aging?

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It is a common problem for men as they age for the prostate gland to enlarge. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. The prostate goes through two main periods of growth. There is a growth during puberty as the prostate doubles in size and around the age of 25 it begins to grow again. This second period of growth is what causes prostate enlargement problems as the man ages. The prostate continues to grow through the man's life but only begins to be a problem before the age of 40. After 40 the risks of prostate problems increases dramatically. Over half of men in their 60's and as many as 90 percent of men in their 90's will have symptoms of BPH. Prostate problems do come with the aging process!

When the prostate grows a layer of tissue surrounding it keeps it from growing and presses against the urethra. It acts like a clamp on a garden hose causing the bladder to contract even if there is a small amount of urine in it. The bladder becomes thicker and harder and becomes irritated. This causes more frequent urination and makes the bladder weaker. When the bladder weakens it loses some of its ability to empty completely. This means the bladder retains some of the urine. This causes many of the problems associated with BPH.

The prostate gland plays a role in sexual function as well as urination. Many people are reluctant to talk about the prostate for this reason. Prostate problems are as much a part of aging as gray hair and fine line and wrinkles. The risk of having prostate problems rises as the population of the United States continues to age. It is estimated that over 4.5 million visits are made to doctors and specialists because of prostate problems.

The male hormone testosterone is important to the development of the adult male. They also produce small amounts of estrogen, which is a female hormone. As men grow older, the amount of testosterone in the blood decreases and the levels of estrogen get higher. Researchers believe the higher amounts of estrogen in the prostate gland and increases cell growth.

Other research has suggested that a substance that comes from testosterone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone) help control its growth. Its been proven that animals lose their ability to produce DHT as they grow older and DHT encourages the cell growth in the prostate gland. Men who do not produce DHT do not develop enlarged prostate problems.

One in three men will develop prostate problems. Regardless of how prostate develops, it is important to note that men have little or no control over their risk of developing prostate problems. It is a part of aging for a man! You should be careful to watch for any symptoms that might suggest prostate problems. A doctor should check any problems with urination. As with any health problem, the chances of successful treatment increase with early detection.