What is Prostate Hypertrophy?
Benign prostate Hypertrophy is a condition which occurs in half of men over the age of 50. It occurs as a result of a breakdown of testosterone to de-hydro testosterone (DHT). This is a natural process, which happens as men get older.
The increase in DHT stimulates a growth in the prostate, a walnut shaped organ found in men at the base of the bladder around the urethra.
This results in men finding it difficult to relieve themselves completely and they need to go little and often. Men can also feel soreness in the prostate area and retain urine in their bladders.
One of the side effects is that men will have to get up one or many more times in the night in order to relieve themselves. This also can interfere in the sleeping patterns of their partners.
In the later stages of benign prostate hypertrophy, (stage 3 as opposed to stages 1 and 2) the bladder and kidneys become severely affected and this condition can only be dealt with by seeing a doctor.
Symptoms Include:
- Interupted stream of urine
- Difficulty starting to urinate
- Feeling that the bladder is not empty after urinating
- Frequently needing to go during the day and night
- Urgent need to urinate
- Dribbling after urinating
- Soreness in the prostate area
- Burning sensation or pain during urinating
You can address the early stages of BPH by using a number of natural products. Saw Palmetto extracts are widely known to help as well as Pumpkin Seed oil. Fewer people know about Stinging Nettle, especially extracts from its root.
Each single plant may contribute to keeping the flow of urine going through the prostate (the dynamic part of BPH)1. Only with Stinging Nettle does research exist to show that the size of the prostate is affected.(The static component of BPH) 2
All three of these plants can be used together. In fact, a small Lithuanian investigation with a combination of these above plants, enriched with Echinacea, Java Tea and Zinc, gave very favourable results on both dynamic and static properties.3 Needless to say this improves the quality of life considerably.
Zinc is a very important nutrient for the prostate. In comparison with other organs, the human prostate is characterized by high Zinc content. The major function of the prostate is to accumulate and secrete extraordinary high levels of citrate. The prostate accumulates zinc in its citrate-producing prostate epithelial cells. Zinc has a role in preventing oxidation of the citrate formed and inhibits cell growth.4,5
If you wait too long in handling complaints over urination, you might find yourself in a condition that is too far advanced for herbal products to make a difference. Chemical medication and/or surgery are then the roads to go forward. Your doctor and surgeon will be able to advise you whether botanical supplements or chemical medicines are suitable for your condition.