Frequent urge to urinate (often at night), decreased urinary flow, pain during urination or problems emptying the bladder.
Many men experience urination problems after their 50s. Often, an enlarged prostate ( enlarged prostate ) is the cause of these symptoms.
Do these urinary problems sound familiar to you? Here we present a test that lets you know if your symptoms should prompt you to see a doctor check if they are possibly due to a prostate problem.
Table of Contents
But what is the Prostate?
The prostate is a gland that is part of the male reproductive system. The chestnut size is located in the small pelvis, under the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is therefore at the crossroads of the urinary and genital tracts.
The prostate is located just in front of the rectum; it can be palpated by a doctor ( urologist ) to assess the prostate’s size. This is called a digital rectal examination.
Young men pay little attention to this small gland whose main function is to secrete a fluid which gives more mobility to the sperm during ejaculation.
But over the years, the prostate manifests itself in most men. Why? Because it increases in volume! This growth is natural, and it is not serious in principle. But when the prostate’s size increases to the point of compressing the urethra, it can cause problems with urination.
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A self-test to Diagnose benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
To assess the importance of urinary disorders, the American Urological Association has developed a test, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). It is a standardized questionnaire which has two objectives:
- He helps the “patient” to take stock of the importance of his disorders.
- It helps the doctor to assess the symptoms to identify the appropriate treatment objectively.
Note: the result of this test is only an estimate, based on the answers given. In no case does this test replace medical advice! It is also advisable to repeat this test regularly, during and after the treatment of a prostate problem, to document the evolution and any results obtained thanks to the treatment.
Symptoms of benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
This is the problem with this condition: the enlargement of the prostate begins insidiously, sometimes even at 30 years. Moreover, BPH does not systematically cause symptoms or disorders, so an enlarged prostate can progress and persist for some time without being diagnosed.
The first symptoms of an enlarged prostate are:
- Delayed urination, need to push to initiate urination
- Decreased urinary flow
- An intermittent, intermittent jet
- The bladder emptying is often obtained only after several attempts and under great muscular efforts of the abdominals.
At an advanced stage, other symptoms of BPH may appear:
- The presence of delayed drops
- The formation of a urine residue at the end of urination: complete emptying of the bladder is then impossible.
- The decrease in intervals between urination.
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What prevention?
The prostate is often the “weak point” in men because prostate problems are not uncommon in men! On the contrary: BPH is one of the most common benign conditions in men over 40. Moreover, its prevalence increases with age.
After 50 years, more than one in two men suffers from urinary problems linked to benign prostatic hyperplasia.
So what can be done to prevent BPH?
It is not possible to prevent enlargement and thus benign prostatic hypertrophy. But a few good reflexes can prevent its worsening and limit its repercussions.
Thus, it is advisable to:
- Ensure a healthy diet low in fat
- Maintain a normal weight
- Practice regular physical activity
- Moderate your alcohol consumption
- Limit – or avoid entirely – smoking.
