Over half of males over the age of 50 have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is a medical name for an enlarged prostate gland. Age brings unpleasant visitors in the form of enlarged cells and inflammation, which cause symptoms such as frequent urine, poor flow, urgency, and nocturia (nighttime toilet trips).
These whispers interfere with sleep, intimacy, and overall well-being, prompting vigilant defense. Can you shrink your prostate in a matter of seconds? In this blog, you will know the answer because we will discuss about it.
What is an Enlarged Prostate?
The prostate is a small gland that surrounds the urethra and plays an important function in reproductive health. The prostate is prone to growth as men age, a disease known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
This growth can cause a variety of urinary symptoms and influence everyday living.
Causes of Enlarged Prostate
An enlarged prostate is caused by several reasons, including:
Age
The most important risk factor for BPH is age. As men age, their prostates naturally enlarge. BPH is quite frequent in males over the age of 50.
Hormones
The male hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) activate the prostate tissue. As men age, testosterone levels fall but DHT levels rise, resulting in increased prostate cell proliferation.
Inflammation
Prostate enlargement may be exacerbated by chronic prostate inflammation. Infections and other inflammatory causes are thought to stimulate prostate development.
Genetics
Prostate cell development rates and hormone sensitivity may be influenced by genetic variables. A man’s chance of acquiring an enlarged prostate is increased if he has a family history of prostate enlargement.
Symptoms of Prostate Enlargement
The following are the most prevalent signs of an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer:
- Frequent urination: The need to pee occurs more frequently, even when the bladder is empty.
- Weak urine stream: The flow slows, dribbles, or is reluctant.
- Urgency and trouble commencing urination: A sudden and acute need to pee, accompanied by difficulties initiating the flow.
- Incomplete bladder emptying: The sensation that the bladder has not been completely emptied following urinating.
- Nocturia: Increased desire to urinate at night, which disrupts sleep.
- Other symptoms: Include difficulty ejaculating, blood in urine or sperm, and erectile dysfunction in certain situations.
Any of these symptoms can have a significant negative influence on a man’s quality of life. Frequent midnight urination, in particular, can be taxing and interrupt sleep.
It is critical to detect and treat an enlarged prostate as soon as possible to alleviate these bph symptom.
Diagnosis of Prostate Enlargement
The doctor will start by evaluating your medical history and inquiring about your symptoms to determine if you have an enlarged prostate. Following that, the doctor may do a series of tests to evaluate whether you have an enlarged prostate and how bad it is.
Digital Rectal Exam
A digital rectal exam is a frequent procedure in which the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum to determine the size of the prostate and feel for abnormalities.
This easy examination allows the doctor to analyze the size and texture of the prostate, providing vital information regarding prostate health.
PSA Test
To check for prostate abnormalities, a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test is also widely utilized. PSA is a protein made by the prostate, and high levels might suggest prostate enlargement or other prostate issues.
However, PSA levels can be raised owing to a variety of different circumstances so more testing may be required.
Biopsy
If cancer is suspected based on the digital rectal exam or PSA test, your doctor may advise you to get a biopsy. Thin needles are used to extract tiny tissue samples from the prostate for evaluation under a microscope.
Doctors can identify whether malignant cells are present by analyzing biopsy samples.
Imaging Tests
An ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI may be ordered by your doctor. These give thorough images of the prostate and surrounding anatomy, assisting in the identification of enlargement and ruling out other potential causes of symptoms. Imaging is also effective for tracking the progression of enlarged prostates over time.
How to Shrink Your Prostate
Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle adjustments can aid in the reduction of an enlarged prostate and the relief of urinary problems. Here are some pointers:
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant that can irritate the bladder and aggravate urinary symptoms. Reduce your intake of coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks. Caffeine-free herbal teas may be a better option to lessen side effects.
Reduce Fluid Intake Before Bedtime
Drinking less in the hours before bedtime might help to reduce overnight urination. Stop drinking 1-2 hours before going to bed to see if it helps.
Double voiding entails peeing and then waiting a few minutes before attempting to urinate again. This guarantees that the bladder is empty. This helps many men minimize post-urination dribbling.
Physical Activity
Regular exercise can help shrink the prostate by increasing blood flow. Walking, swimming, and cycling are all viable possibilities. Before beginning a new workout plan, always consult with your doctor.
Lose Excess Weight
Excess weight, particularly around the midsection, might aggravate urinary problems. Losing weight may ease bladder and prostate strain.
Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises can help minimize urine leaks and urgency by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. Work your way up to holding each contraction for 10 seconds and relaxing for 10 seconds between them.
Making lifestyle changes may help decrease an enlarged prostate, alleviating symptoms without the need for medication or surgery.
Medications
Medications can help reduce the size of an enlarged prostate and alleviate urinary symptoms. Various sorts of medicines are used:
Alpha-blockers
To enhance urine flow and lessen bladder outlet blockage, alpha-blockers relax the muscle fibers in the prostate and bladder neck. Terazosin (Hytrin), doxazosin (Cardura), tamsulosin (Flomax), and alfuzosin (Uroxatral) are a few examples.
They relieve urinary symptoms quickly but do not shrink prostate enlargement.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors
These medications can shrink the prostate by preventing testosterone from being converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which encourages prostate development. Finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart) are two examples.
The effects may take up to 6 months to manifest. They can shrink prostate enlargement by 18-28% while also increasing urine flow.
Combination therapy
An alpha-blocker combined with a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor may give more symptom alleviation than either medicine alone. The alpha-blocker increases urine flow immediately, but the 5-ARI reduces the prostate over time.
According to studies, the combination is more effective than single medication treatment in preventing disease development.
Natural Supplements
For many men with enlarged prostates, natural supplements are an enticing alternative. Several herbal medicines and plant extracts have shown promise in reducing the prostate or alleviating symptoms. Among the most well-researched natural supplements are:
Saw Palmetto
This is obtained from the saw palmetto plant’s fruit. According to some studies, Saw Palmetto may block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which is thought to contribute to prostate enlargement.
Saw palmetto may have anti-inflammatory qualities as well. Although studies on its usefulness have yielded conflicting findings, it is one of the most regularly utilized supplements for prostate health.
Pygeum
Pygeum is derived from the bark of an African plum tree. It includes chemicals that may help decrease prostate inflammation and edema. Some evidence shows that pygeum might help reduce urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate, but additional study is needed.
Nettle root
Nettle root has long been used in traditional medicine to treat prostate problems. It is considered to interact with hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, which influence prostate development. Some research suggests that stinging nettle can help with urine flow, although the data is mixed.
Beta-sitosterol
This plant extract may aid with urinary symptoms and may reduce prostate growth by blocking an enzyme involved in prostate enlargement. However, research to date has not conclusively demonstrated that beta-sitosterol alone lowers prostate growth. Nonetheless, it is a popular element in prostate supplements.
More study is needed to validate the efficacy and optimal dose of these natural supplements for the treatment of enlarged prostate. since with any supplement, it’s best to check with a doctor before using it, since it may mix with drugs or worsen existing medical issues.
While promising, these natural therapies have not been scientifically shown to reduce the prostate after it has become enlarged. However, some men may find them useful in controlling symptoms in addition to other lifestyle modifications and medical care.
Can You Shrink Your Enlarged Prostate in Seconds?
The short answer is no. There is presently no safe or effective means to accomplish such a quick and significant decrease in prostate size.
Products or treatments that claim quick prostate shrinking are often unproven, ineffectual, and even harmful. Keep in mind that the prostate is a crucial organ, and severe operations without competent medical care might result in unanticipated health issues.
Conclusion
While there are effective ways for managing an enlarged prostate, quick fixes are not based on scientific evidence. Individuals may negotiate the complexity of prostate health and make decisions that contribute to their overall well-being by taking a proactive and educated approach.
If you enjoyed this article, you may also want to read this article on How to Naturally Shrink Your Prostate.
*This information is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical or dietary advice tailored to individual needs.
Dr. Nicolette Natale is a physician, with a background in Psychology, General Medicine, and English Literature, combining her expertise to provide readers with the most accurate, easy-to-understand, and comprehensive information regarding healthcare. She received her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University, and her bachelor’s in English Literature and Psychology from the University of Miami. Dr. Natale seeks to empower individuals with knowledge, fostering a greater understanding of holistic health and encouraging a proactive approach to well-being