Men’s health issues: Prostate problems

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system and is very important for a man's sex life,  producing some of the fluid in semen. When something goes wrong with the prostate, it can affect a man's sex life and long-term health.

There are three main things that could go wrong with the prostate – benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis and prostate cancer.

• Benign disease or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is common in older men, with the prostate growing slowly bigger. It can cause difficulty or pain when passing urine as the growing prostate puts pressure on the tube that carries urine from the bladder. Several treatments are available. BPH is treatable and is rare in men under 50.
• Prostatitis can affect men of any age, and is an inflammation of the prostate gland and can cause pain and difficulty when passing urine. Prostatitis is treatable.
• The risk of prostate cancer gets higher in older men. Symptoms are similar to other prostate problems, particularly difficulty in passing urine, but other symptoms include lower back pain, pain in the hips or pelvis and erection problems. All these symptoms can also be caused by other problems.

For further information visit the following website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk