Let’s be honest, men are willing to put up with a lot of aches, pains, and other issues and prefer to wait to see how things work out before seeking care. I get it, as men reach 40 and over, they may find themselves getting up multiple times each night to visit the bathroom.
It’s normal not to want to think about this, but as men age, their prostates change, creating issues with the flow of urine.
Recently I sat down with Dr. Edward Karpman, a renowned urologist, for a very lively webinar on Men’s Health. I learned a lot and wanted to share even more information with my readers.
Where in the world is the Prostate?
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that is located just below a man’s bladder. It surrounds and encases the urethra, the tube that urine passes through. The prostate also produces fluid that helps transport sperm during ejaculation.
As men age, their prostates enlarge
As the prostate grows, it is an indicator of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH). This is linked to prostate cancer. If the prostate grows too much, or BPH worsens, it will compress the urethra, causing issues with urinary flow.
Is this normal? Take the Quiz
How would a man know if his prostate is healthy or if what he’s experiencing with his flow of urine is ok or something that should be checked out? For the webinar, I adapted the International Prostate Screening Score, (IPSS). You can download it here and see it for yourself. And, it’s ok, if you’re doing this for your partner.
Scoring the International Prostate Symptom Score
Scores
0 – 7 Mild symptoms. You may want to monitor this and mention it at your next regular visit
8 – 19 Moderte symptoms. You’re definitely seeing signs that your prostate is probably a little enlarged. Now is the time to make an appointment with a urologist.
20 + Severe symptoms. You are having many more symptoms than is healthy for you. Don’t delay, there’s much that can be done to help improve this situation. Do make an appointment as soon as possible to see a urologist.
A few things every man needs to know
• If you’re starting to have issues with urinary flow, don’t wait, there’s much that can be done that can range from taking medication to minimally invasive procedures.
• Most treatments will not interfere with sexuality
• Most treatments are painless and effective
• Waiting too long can lead to irreversible issues, so don’t delay.
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