Managing Prostate Health in Aging Men: Self-Care and Prevention

Maintaining your prostate health becomes increasingly important as you age. Aging men become more prone to issues like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. About 50% of men develop an enlarged prostate by age 51 to 60; that percentage increases to 90% at age 80 and above. 

Keep your prostate in top health with these practical self-care and prevention tips. Understand prostate health in aging men, learn dietary and lifestyle tips for your prostate, and know the medical screening and treatment options you have and when to get them. 

Read on and learn how to proactively manage your prostate health for longer, more wholesome golden years.

Understanding Prostate Health in Aging Men

The prostate, a walnut-sized gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum in men, plays a crucial role in semen production. Its muscles also help push semen through the urethra during ejaculation, making it a key part of the male reproductive system. 

As men age, the prostate gland gradually enlarges, causing benign prostatic hyperplasia. BPH can lead to urinary symptoms such as pain while urinating, frequent urination, bloody urine, difficulty starting to urinate, and a weak urine stream. 

Prostate cancer is also one of the common prostate health issues that affect aging men. About 60% of prostate cancer patients are 65-year-old men or older. Aside from age, other factors like race, obesity, and family history can increase the risk of prostate cancer, though its exact cause remains unknown.

Prostate cancer doesn’t always show symptoms in its early stages, going and developing unnoticed without regular checkups. It manifests in its later stages with urinary issues, bloody urine or semen, bone pain, unexplained weight loss, and erectile dysfunction. 

It helps if you regularly undergo prostate checkups. Additionally, adopting a healthier lifestyle, including a healthy diet, regular exercise, physical activity, and quitting alcohol and tobacco, is beneficial. Such proactive measures can significantly reduce your risk of developing prostate issues and improve your reproductive and overall health. Let us discuss them in more detail.

Regular Screening and Checkups

Timely intervention can prevent the progression of any disease. Routine medical checkups and prostate screenings can help identify potential problems in their early stages when they’re the most treatable.

A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures PSA levels in the blood. When found in excess, it can be a sign of an inflamed or enlarged prostate. High levels of PSA can also indicate prostate cancer. 

Another way to get your prostate checked is through a digital rectal exam (DRE). During a DRE, a medical professional gently inserts a gloved finger inside your rectum and feels for abnormalities like lumps, enlargement, tenderness, or hard spots. 

The frequency of your checkups and screenings differs depending on your age and individual risk factors. It’s around age 55 that such screenings are recommended. Still, men aged 40 to 54 should see a doctor if they have a family history of prostate cancer. African-American men are also advised to undergo prostate screenings even at ages younger than 50, for they’re at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer compared to other ethnic groups.

Dietary Tips for Supporting Prostate Health

A diet loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can help reduce the risk of prostate-related diseases. Here’s a recommended diet to boost your prostate health.

• Cruciferous vegetables: These vegetables contain phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote prostate health. Consuming such vegetables reduces prostate inflammation and prevents the growth of cancer cells. Examples include bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale. 
• Healthy fats: Consume healthy fats like vegetable oil and omega-3 fatty acids in tuna, salmon, soybean, and spinach. These also reduce inflammation and support prostate health.
• Tomatoes: Add tomatoes to your diet. They are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that protects against cell damage and reduces your risk of developing prostate cancer. Cooked tomatoes are better sources of lycopene than uncooked ones, as the cooking process allows the lycopene to be absorbed by the body more easily.
• Legumes and nuts: Legumes like beans, lentils, and peanuts are rich in iron, fiber, potassium, magnesium, and other nutrients that help hormone levels and improve prostate health. Nuts also provide zinc and vitamin E, which improve heart health and reduce inflammation.

Exercise and Physical Activity Recommendations

Regular exercise can benefit your prostate and overall health. It reduces the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia, erectile dysfunction, and cancer. Aerobic exercises, like swimming, cycling, and brisk walking, help improve metabolism and blood flow and reduce inflammation. Strength training exercises for the core and pelvic muscles, like planking and Kegel exercises, can help support prostate health, improve bladder control, and reduce the risk of incontinence. 

You can also adopt a more physically active lifestyle by using the stairs instead of taking the elevator and walking instead of driving when traveling shorter distances. Engaging in hobbies that can make you physically fit and active, like sports, gardening, and bicycling is favorable. Exercise and physical activities can also help relieve stress and promote emotional well-being.

Lifestyle Modifications for Prostate Health

Mental and emotional health make up another critical aspect of prostate health. Chronic anxiety and stress can contribute to inflammation, cause the prostate to enlarge, and worsen the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Additionally, feeling overstressed releases excessive testosterone and causes zinc deficiency—both of which can lead to an enlarged prostate. Practicing healthy stress management techniques like meditation and socialization can help improve your prostate health.

Aside from stress management, maintaining a healthy body weight improves prostate health. Excess weight around the abdomen may cause hormonal imbalances and inflammation, which could trigger or worsen prostate issues. Avoid that by keeping a regular exercise regimen and eating a balanced diet.

Limiting alcohol and tobacco consumption is also crucial for maintaining optimal prostate health. Both have been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer, can exacerbate BPH, and interfere with hormone regulation.

Testosterone Therapy for Prostate Health

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a prescription treatment that increases or restores one’s testosterone levels. Aside from treating hypogonadism, it’s also been known to improve different aspects of men’s health, like mood, cognition, muscle mass, sex drive, anxiety, and sleep quality. 

There has been some concern about the possible link between prostate cancer and testosterone therapy. However, recent research suggests that the appropriate use of testosterone therapy for prostate health doesn’t increase the risk of prostate cancer compared to men not undergoing TRT. The study also found that men who undergo TRT reported few symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, such as dripping, difficulty urinating, and frequent urination.

Managing your prostate health with testosterone therapy demands careful consideration and precaution. You should consult your doctor and undergo a comprehensive assessment to ensure your health and safety. This treatment also works best when combined with a healthy diet, stress management, and regular exercise. 

Consider undergoing testosterone replacement therapy, available at Edge Weight Loss & Fatigue. Our healthcare providers ensure appropriate administration and monitoring of your therapy. 

Takeaway

Prostate health waits for no man. As the years go by, it becomes a more crucial part of men’s health, demanding proactive steps to maintain it. Start investing in your prostate health now to reduce your risks of developing prostate issues later on.

When it comes to prostate health in aging men, seeking medical advice and attention can drastically help and allow you to enjoy a better life in the coming years. If you want to explore testosterone therapy, visit Edge Weightloss & Fatigue in Spring, Texas. Our experienced team provides personalized plans and a holistic approach, understanding the intricate relationship between hormones and overall well-being.

Call (832) 662-3661 now for better and healthier days ahead!