The prostate grows bigger and enlarges in older men over 50 years of age. The condition of enlarged prostate is called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH in medical language. This enlargement results in pressure on the urethra and consequent urination and bladder problems. BPH is not cancer and is not a risk factor for prostate cancer. The causative factors for prostate enlargement are unknown.

SYMPTOMS OF ENLARGED PROSTATE (BPH)
The following are the symptoms of enlarged prostate (BPH):

• Urinary hesitancy
• Urinary dribbling
• Poor or weak urinary stream
• Urinary retention
• Incontinence
• Urinary frequency
• Urinary urgency
• Hematuria or bloody urine
• Straining to urinate

DIAGNOSIS OF ENLARGED PROSTATE (BPH)
If you consult your doctor due to one or more of the above symptoms, he/she will conduct a digital rectal exam, review your medical history and symptoms before deciding on tests to conduct to arrive at a diagnosis. The doctor may conduct one or more of the following tests:

• Urinalysis
• Urinary blood test to screen for bladder cancer
• PSA to screen for prostate cancer
• Ultrasound of the prostate
• Cystoscopy of urethra or bladder
• Post-void residual volume (PVR) to measure urine retention in the bladder after urinating
• Uroflowmetry to measure speed of urine flow
• Urodynamic pressure to test pressure in the bladder during urinating

TREATMENT OF ENLARGED PROSTATE (BPH)
If you are diagnosed with BPH, your doctor will refer you to a urologist who is a specialist in the treatment of urinary problems including prostate problems. Several choices of treatments are available for prostate enlargement, including watchful waiting, medication, minimally invasive therapies, and surgery. Your urologist formulates a treatment plan depending on your diagnosis, your age, and several other factors. Your urologist may opt for watchful waiting if your symptoms are tolerable and postpone the treatment.

• Watchful waiting
• Drug Therapy (Medication)
• Laser therapy
• Embolization
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
• Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP)
• Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT)
• Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA)
• Prostatectomy

Testosterone is a hormone produced by the human body. It is primarily produced in men by the testicles. It stimulates the production of sperm as well as a man’s sex drive and is responsible for building muscle mass and bone mass as well as male characteristics including appearance. It is also responsible for normal growth and development of the male sex organs and sexual function. The pituitary gland and hypothalamus regulate testosterone production by testicles.

What are the functions of testosterone in men?

Testosterone is vital to the male body because it is responsible for countless functions that contribute to good health. The following are some of the functions of testosterone:

• Growth and function of male sex organs including prostate
• Maintaining sex drive and sexual function
• Development and distribution of facial, chest, and other male body hair
• Development of muscle mass and strength
• Distribution of fat
• Maintaining energy level
• Maintaining bone strength

What are the causes of low testosterone level in men?

The production of testosterone begins to fall after the age of 30, with an average loss of 1% per year. This is a normal loss with aging in all men. However, a variety of medical conditions contributes to low testosterone levels in men. The following are some of the other causes for falling testosterone level in men:

• Genetic causes
• Hormonal disorders
• Metabolic disorders
• Injury to the testicles.
• Testicular cancer.
• Prolactinoma in the pituitary gland

• Autoimmune diseases

• Chronic obstructive lung disease
• Chronic liver or kidney disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Infection
• HIV/AIDS
• Obesity

What are the symptoms of low testosterone level?

Low Testosterone produces a variety of symptoms. The following are some of them:

• Low energy
• Low sex drive or libido
• Increased body fat
• Reduced muscle mass and strength
• Emotional changes
• Trouble concentrating
• Increased hair loss
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Decreased motivation
• Low self-confidence
• Depression

Some of the above symptoms might be due to other medical conditions, so it is important to check your testosterone level for a proper diagnosis.

What are the treatments available for low testosterone level?

Testosterone therapy or supplementation is the preferred treatment method recommended by doctors to increase testosterone level or to alleviate your symptoms. This therapy can be delivered in the following forms:

• Testosterone injections
• Testosterone pellets
• Testosterone patches
• Testosterone gel

You doctor might also recommend one of the following other treatment options:

• Erectile dysfunction medications.
• Losing weight
• Exercising more

If you are experiencing any low testosterone symptoms, consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis with a simple blood test. The doctor will formulate an appropriate treatment plan based on the diagnosis.

Causes of erectile dysfunction

While sex is an enjoyable act and a stress reliever, ED can make sex a stressful task for people with depression, stress, fatigue, and sleep disorders. There are several other possible physical, medical, and emotional causes for ED. The following are some of the possible causes:

• Atherosclerosis or clogged blood vessels
• Hypertension
• Low testosterone levels
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Hyperlipidemia
• Metabolic syndrome
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Injuries
• Obesity or overweight
• Relationship problems
• Age
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Drug use
• Alcohol use
• Smoking

Symptoms of erectile dysfunction

The following symptoms persist for more than three months if you have erectile dysfunction:

• Trouble getting an erection
• Difficulty maintaining an erection during sexual activities
• Loss of libido (losing interest in sex)

Consult your doctor if you have any of the above symptoms lasting for more than more months. Your doctor will find out the underlying cause by appropriate diagnostic technique and formulate the required treatment plan.

Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction

Once you consult a doctor, he will ask you to explain your symptoms and your medical history. He/she will conduct physical exam including testicles and penis. The doctor will also check your prostate by digital rectal exam. The doctor will carry out some blood, urine, and other tests to determine if your symptoms are caused by low testosterone, diabetes, heart problems, or other underlying causes.

The doctor may conduct nocturnal penile tumescence test (NPT) or ‘postage stamp test to establish the quality of your nocturnal erections. Nocturnal erections are penile erections that occur while you are sleeping.

Lifestyle changes can prevent erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction can possibly be prevented by avoiding some bad habits and opting for a healthy lifestyle. ED is many times related to problems with your blood flow, so maintaining your blood vessel health through exercise and a healthy diet may help reduce your risk for ED.

• Regular exercise
• Nutritious and balanced diet
• Maintain a low blood pressure
• Control obesity if you are overweight
• Avoid alcohol and smoking
• Reduce your stress and anxiety

Treatments for erectile dysfunction

There are many treatments available for erectile dysfunction and most men will find an appropriate treatment option to help them. The following are the treatments available:

• Oral medication
• Topical medication
• Injected medication
• Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
• Penis pump
• Penile implants
• Vascular surgery

 The purpose of this informational article is to let all men know that erectile dysfunction is a treatable medical condition. Don’t feel embarrassed or shy to discuss your problem with a doctor, as most doctors know how to make you comfortable while discussing your problem. Go ahead and get appropriate treatment to solve your problem.