How well-equipped do you feel you are to talk about male health issues? It goes without saying that we can all think of campaigns and crusaders around women’s health concerns, and part of this may be to do with the fact that women, in general, can talk about these things without sniggering. It may also have to do with the fact that when it comes to women’s health issues, doctors have all-too-often let women down.
Women have had to do a lot of the hard work themselves, and it’s a path that men haven’t often been the best at following. So, today, it might be an idea for men young and old to think about their prostate glands.
What is the prostate gland?
Unless you are over the age of 40 or have had a scare related to the area, the chances are you haven’t given much thought to the prostate.
It is, after all, internal and somewhat hidden away. However, it controls a lot of processes that are important to men and is located in the male reproductive system.
Why do I need to know about the prostate?
For one thing, prostate cancer is – after skin cancer – the second-most common form of the disease among men in the United States.
It’s survivable and highly treatable, as long as it is detected early – so you should make sure you aren’t ignoring warning signs.
What are the warning signs?
Most of the tell-tale signs of prostate cancer can be detected when you go to the lavatory. Difficulty starting and stopping urination, as well as pain or a burning sensation, are common symptoms.
The same is also true of blood in the water, or an increased need to “go”. These issues are also common for benign conditions such as an enlarged prostate, so they are not a sign of a need to panic.
It may be that you need to seek out incontinence products for men as a result of conditions such as Benign Prostate Enlargement (BPE) or prostatitis, but that’s better than the alternative.
Other issues may include impotence and/or frequent pain and stiffness in the lower back, hips and upper thighs.
All of these warning signs and symptoms are most likely due to far more benign conditions, but it is much better to be safe than sorry, so you should see a doctor if something’s not right.
Is there anything else I should be aware of?
Most problems with the prostate affect older men, but once you are past the age of 40 it will usually be advisable to have a doctor check your prostate as part of an overall check-up.
This check is over in moments and can save your life, so it’s worth having it done.
There is a tendency, developed throughout the ages, for men to take a cavalier attitude to physical health unless they are forced to accept intervention.
However, early intervention is the best way to ensure positive outcomes – so if any of the above has sounded alarm bells for you, make an appointment with a doctor and get the answers you need!
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