PROSTATE HEALTH CONDITIONS

Find out more about different Prostate Health Conditions.

 

Enlarged Prostate / BPH

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate that may cause difficulty in urination. An enlarged prostate occurs commonly in men over the age of 60. Experts do not yet know what causes BPH, but the condition may be related to the hormone testosterone and its relationship to other hormones that changes during the aging process.

 

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)—defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity—is a significant and common medical condition. It is estimated that as many as 100 million men worldwide suffer from ED. However, more than 85% of men with ED don’t seek treatment. ED is a treatable condition and may be a symptom of another underlying medical problem that needs to be treated as well.

 

Prostatitis

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, of which there are four main classifications:

• • • Acute Bacterial Prostatitis
    • Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
    • Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
    • Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis

The gold standard for diagnosing prostatitis would be to perform a biopsy of the prostate, but this is rarely done. Instead, doctors may diagnose prostatitis by examining prostatic secretions for bacteria.

 

Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the inability to control urination. The term may be used interchangeably with Overactive Bladder (OAB), which also includes the same frequency in urination and urinary urge. People who suffer from overactive bladder, or urinary incontinence, are unable to hold their urine. Leaking urine is not a normal result of aging. Don’t be embarrassed to seek help and speak with a medical professional.

 

Low Testosterone

Testosterone is a male sex hormone that plays a major role in the development and maintenance of physical and reproductive characteristics, including healthy muscle mass, bone strength, sperm production, and sex drive. When an adult male’s testosterone levels fall below the normal range for their age, they may be diagnosed with a condition called low testosterone or hypogonadism.

Low testosterone is not a condition of the prostate, but it is often evaluated in the context of overall male health. Because the prostate is part of the male reproductive system, hormonal changes, including declining testosterone, can indirectly affect prostate function, sexual health, and urinary symptoms.

While testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can help relieve symptoms like low libido, fatigue, and decreased muscle mass, it is important to first rule out any underlying prostate concerns. Men considering TRT should undergo a prostate exam and PSA testing to ensure therapy is safe and appropriate.