BPH: a men’s health issue

Prostate health is an important men’s health topic. The prostate is a specialized gland that is part of the male urinary system. Its main role is to produce the milky fluid-like substance the enables semen to easily move and swim about. The average size of the prostate gland is similar to a golf ball. However, at about age of 25 years the prostate gland begins to slowly enlarge. The size of the prostate gland can change over a man’s lifetime due to expected hormonal changes that occur as men age. An increase in the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) naturally occurs with age and directly causes the enlargement of the prostate gland. The medical term for this enlargement is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is very common, affecting fifty percent of men by age 60 and ninety percent of men who are 80 years of age. Although this enlargement is no necessarily harmful BPH can lead to number of disruptive urinary complaints. The most common complaints in men with BPH includes frequent urination, waking up multiple times at night to urinate, slower flow of urination, dribbling, and difficulty initiating urinary flow. These symptoms can impact various aspects of a man’s life including sleep, energy, mood and overall mental well-being. Having to constantly search for a bathroom or feeling embarrassed when you have to go can become quite difficult for an aging man. Medical options do exist to help address BPH but some are invasive procedures that may not work throughout that individual’s lifetime. Certain natural plant derived ingredients have shown to offer benefits for men suffering with BPH. The most well studied herb is saw palmetto. Its fruit portion has been shown to help with the hormonal changes that lead to the symptoms associated with BPH. Stinging nettle leaf and root portions are other plant derived ingredients that can help reduce frequent bathroom trips, allowing men to get a better nights rest. Another ingredient is beta-sitosterol which is a plant derived fatty substance. This specialized compound has natural anti-inflammatory effects, contributes to a healthy prostate gland and improves urinary symptoms and flow. Natural products marketed to support prostate health and reduce the unwanted urinary symptoms of BPH are available in capsule, tablet and even tea form. A tea based option can help support a healthy urinary stream and allows the herbal ingredients to specifically target the urinary system, where it is needed the most.