The prostate gland is a male reproductive organ that produces fluids to feed and protect sperm cells.
Many men experience urinary changes as they age. In many cases, these changes do not need specific treatment.
When urinary changes cause problems, they can be treated successfully by lifestyle changes, medication, surgery or a combination of the three.
For problems such as blood in the urine, pain on urination, inability to urinate or uncontrollable urine flow, see your doctor promptly.
The prostate gland is a male reproductive organ that is about the size of a walnut, found at the base of the bladder. Fluid produced by this gland helps to protect and feed sperm, which come from the seminal vesicles via the ejaculatory ducts into the urethra. The urethra is a thin tube through which urine flows from the bladder and out of the penis. It runs through the prostate gland. The prostate undergoes two main growth spurts. The first is fuelled by sex hormones made by the testicles during puberty. This prompts the gland to reach an average weight of 20 grams in adulthood.
For reasons that are unclear, the second growth spurt of the prostate gland begins when men are in their 30s. It continues to enlarge with age to an average weight of 40 grams in men in their 70s.
Many men experience urinary changes as they age, which may be caused by inflammation or enlargement of the prostate gland. An enlarged prostate gland, however, does not always cause urinary problems. Troublesome urinary symptoms are rarely symptoms of prostate cancer.
Cause of urinary problems as men age
Many men experience urinary symptoms as they age, which may be caused by inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis).
In older men, symptoms may be due to a blockage in the tubes due to a
benign (non-cancerous) enlargement of the prostate gland (benign
prostatic hyperplasia – BPH). The most common symptom is difficulty
emptying your bladder. Urinary symptoms may become bothersome enough
that they require treatment.
Not all urinary symptoms are due to changes to the prostate. Also, some
men have enlarged prostates and yet experience few, if any, symptoms.
Symptoms of urinary problems
Urinary symptoms commonly experienced with prostate problems include:
the need to urinate frequently during the night
urinating more often during the day
urinary urgency – the urge to urinate can be so strong and sudden that you may not reach the toilet in time
the urine stream is slow to start
urine dribbling for some time after finishing urination
a sensation that the bladder isn't fully emptied after urination
lack of force to the urine flow, which makes directing the stream difficult
the sensation of needing to go again soon after urinating.
Although these symptoms often do not need treatment, see your doctor if they are causing you difficulty, as they can be successfully treated.
Urinary symptoms to be followed up
See your doctor if you experience:
being unable to urinate
painful urination
any blood in the urine at all
any unusual discharge from the penis
continuous or severe urinary incontinence (you can't hold your urine).
Inflammation of the prostate gland
Bacteria sometimes cause prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). More commonly, the underlying cause is uncertain. Consult your doctor promptly if you experience:
fever
lower back pain
pain in the groin
urgent and frequent urination.
Treatment with antibiotics is essential for acute bacterial prostatitis. Admission to hospital is often necessary and, as with chronic (ongoing) bacterial prostatitis, specific antibacterial drugs are required for a long time.
Problems with enlar
ged prostate gland
Benign enlargement of the prostate gland (BPH) is more common as men get older. It can cause troublesome symptoms, although it doesn’t always.
The urethra passes through the prostate gland, so men may have problems urinating if the enlarged gland restricts the flow of urine. If the flow stops completely, a catheter is required to empty the bladder. It is rare for this form of acute urinary retention to cause kidney damage.
An enlarged prostate doesn't always cause urinary problems. Studies indicate that the size of a man's prostate gland has little influence on the type or severity of his urination problems. BPH is just one possible cause of urinary symptoms.
Another cause of urinary symptoms can be changes to the muscular wall of the bladder, which may cause spasms of the bladder or weaken the bladder, causing problems passing urine.
Diagnosis of enlarged prostate gland and urinary problems
If
you are troubled by urination problems, see a doctor – no matter what
your age. If your doctor agrees that your symptoms need further
evaluation and treatment, you may need to undergo a few tests.
These may include:
general examination – medical history and review of any health conditions including obesity, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea, depression and erectile dysfunction. A rectal examination may be done to check the size and shape of your prostate gland
a urine check – to ensure the prostate is not infected
a flow-rate check – to estimate the speed with which you pass urine
an ultrasound examination – to assess if the bladder is emptying completely and to examine your kidneys
urodynamics – a series of tests on the bladder to see how your urinary system is functioning may be recommended in some circumstances.
Self-help strategies for urinary problems
If your urination problems are simple and don't bother you very much, steps you can take at home include:
minimising drinks such as coffee, caffeinated soft drinks and alcohol. This is especially important before bedtime, if getting up at night to pass urine is disturbing your sleep
making changes to your diet to reduce processed foods, particularly refined carbohydrates
increasing physical activity
learning pelvic floor and bladder retraining exercises as they may help to ease some urinary symptoms. See your doctor for advice.
Treatment for urinary problems
If your urinary problems are caused by infection or enlargement of the prostate gland, treatment may include:
a long course of antibacterial medication (for bacterial prostatitis) – because infection is difficult to get rid of, the antibacterial medication will need to be taken for many weeks
medication to improve urine flow and other symptoms (for obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate)
surgical procedures (for blockage caused by an enlarged prostate) – the type of surgery required depends on the size of the prostate and the condition of the urethra. Types of procedures include:
transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP)
laser resection of the prostate (green light laser [PVP] or holmium laser enucleation prostatectomy [HoLEP])
open surgery prostatectomy (for very large glands)
removal of prostate tissue using water jets (aqua-ablation) or steam (Rezum treatment)
UroLift® – for men for whom medication has not been successful but their prostates are not so enlarged that they need more invasive surgery. This procedure involves the transurethral insertion of staples to separate the lobes of the prostate. It has minimal side effects and preserves ejaculatory and erectile function
a number of other procedures that have been developed to reduce urinary symptoms. Talk to your doctor about your options.
Medication for urinary problems
Your doctor may suggest various medications to help ease your urinary problems, including:
medications to reduce the tone of the muscles of the urethra and prostate to minimise any constriction to urine flow caused when these muscles contract
medication to reduce the size of the prostate gland. These medications work by blocking the action of male hormones produced by the prostate gland
medications to relax the bladder, making unwanted contractions less likely and reducing the symptoms of urgency and frequency of urination
the over-the-counter preparation 'saw palmetto' (Serenoa repens) is sometimes used. This may help some men, especially if frequent urination at night is a problem.
what happens if a grown man drinks breast milk
Got milk? No, not the kind you think. In an unusual twist, some men are turning to human milk in a quest to bulk up or improve their health, believing all the benefits it provides to infants can produce similar effects in adults.The trend is puzzling experts who say breast milk is meant for human babies, not human grown-ups. They worry about the safety of drinking milk from donors who are not prop
Donated breast milk is for human babies, not human adults, experts say.Today Got milk? No, not the kind you think. In an unusual twist, some men are turning to human milk in a quest to bulk up or improve their health, believing all the benefits it provides to infants can produce similar effects in adults.
The trend is puzzling experts who say breast milk is meant for human babies, not human grown-ups. They worry about the safety of drinking milk from donors who are not properly screened.
Still, some men think the nutrient-rich liquid is the secret to their success at the gym.
“It gives me incredible energy I don’t get from other food and drinks,” Anthony, who didn’t disclose his last name, recently told New York Magazine.
“I don’t believe in steroids or other energy supplements, none of that garbage… I want natural stuff that’s God-given.”
Many bodybuilders also tout the benefits of breast milk, with some of them calling it “the greatest supplement ever” on the message boards of BodyBuilding.com.
It’s not exactly a product you can pick up at the store, so when men are seeking breast milk, some are turning to sites such as OnlyTheBreast.com, which connect lactating women who want to sell or donate their milk with buyers — usually other moms, but not always.
OnlyTheBreast.com has had a “Men Buying Breast Milk” category since its inception more than four years ago, said founder Glenn Snow, adding it's not surprising there’s demand for breast milk among men.
“We think breast milk is amazing and can be used for many health and wellness purposes regardless of the age or gender of the person seeking its benefits,” Snow told TODAY.com.
The men’s classified ads feature pleas for breast milk from all corners of the U.S., including “a retired firefighter looking to fix my health” in Lewiston, Idaho, and an “older man seeking fresh breastmilk for health reasons” in Fort Worth, Texas. (Some of the ads appear to ask for more than just nourishment, such as the “Niagara Region gentleman” looking for both breast milk and an “ongoing personal relationship.”)
Still, only a small fraction of the site’s members seek milk for their own health and wellness, Snow said, with most focused on helping mothers share milk with babies in need.
Breast milk is rich in nutrients and antibodies, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It contains just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein to help a baby grow and it’s easier to digest. Because of all those benefits, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast-feeding for the s of a baby's life.
But there is no evidence that breast milk has a protective role in the health of adults, said Elisa Zied, a registered dietitian nutritionist in New York.
“Human breast milk (is) designed to nourish babies — not grown men,” said Zied, author of “Younger Next Week.”
“Bottom line: I find the idea of an adult using human breast milk for health benefits unsubstantiated by science.”
Breast milk contains immunoglobulins that help fight infection—but they are immunoglobulins that, for the most part, adults have and infants don’t, said Dr. Claire McCarthy, a pediatrician and medical communications editor at Boston Children’s Hospital.
She noted that human milk was meant for humans while cow’s milk was meant for cows, so by that reasoning, human milk would be healthier for people to drink than cow’s milk. But at the same time, it’s also meant for human babies, not adults, McCarthy added.
Both Zied and McCarthy were concerned about the risk of disease when drinking breast milk from an unknown source.
“Milk is a bodily fluid and can carry infections that are present in the body, such as HIV, hepatitis and others,” McCarthy said.
Human milk that’s obtained directly from individuals or through the Internet is not likely to come from a donor who was adequately screened for disease or contamination risk, the FDA warns.
The agency recommends that parents who are seeking donor milk for their babies contact the, which dispenses milk by prescription or by hospital purchase order only. The association has safety guidelines for screening donors, and collecting, processing, handling, testing and storing milk.
Meanwhile, a study last fall found human milk bought and sold on the Internet
So Zied advised adults to stick with proven nutrition guidelines.
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