The prostate is a male reproductive organ that contributes to the production of semen and secretes a certain type of fluid that supports the sperm. About the size of an apricot, it is found in front of the rectum, between the bladder and the penis.
Prostate problems that men should watch out for
Because of the key role it plays in various male sexual and reproductive functions and processes, it has to be taken good care of. Unfortunately, there are many men that suffer from prostate problems that prevent them from enjoying the most out of their sex lives.
The following are examples of common diseases that affect the prostate:
Enlarged prostate
An enlarged prostate is a medical condition in which the prostate gland increases in size for various reasons, such as old age, a history of enlarged prostate in the family, underlying health problems like heart disease and diabetes, and unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, its usual signs and symptoms include:
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- More frequent need to urinate, especially at night
- Trouble urinating
- A urine stream that is weak or just stops and starts repeatedly
- Traces of blood in the urine
- Urinary tract infection
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Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the number one type of cancer that hits males. According to data, it affects about 1 in 7 males during their entire lifetime, and it is the cause of death of around 1 in 39 men.
Usually, this disease develops gradually and does not really pose any real danger early on. However, some cases can grow rapidly and aggressively, requiring treatment as soon as possible.
In its early stages, prostate cancer does not typically trigger noticeable signs and symptoms. However, once it reaches the advanced stages, it can cause the following to appear:
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- Difficulty urinating
- Traces of blood in the semen
- Pain or discomfort in the pelvic region
- Difficulty getting an erection or sustaining an erection
- Bone pain
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Prostatitis
Prostatitis is a disease characterized as the swelling or inflammation of the prostate gland. Unlike enlarged prostate and prostate cancer, which are most common in older men, it can affect even the younger ones, particularly men who are between the ages of 30 and 50.
Some common symptoms of prostatitis are:
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- Pain in or around the penis, lower abdomen, lower back, anus, or testicles
- Pain when urinating
- More frequent need to urinate
- Inability to urinate
- Fever
- Body pains and aches
- An odd, thick discharge coming out of the penis
- Pain or discomfort in the pelvic region
- Trouble achieving or maintaining an erection for sex
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Ways To Protect Your Prostate Health
It is difficult to have fun and pleasurable sex if your prostate is in bad shape. Thus, you have to make sure that it is taken good care of it by doing the following:
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Have a diet that is made up of lots of fruits and vegetables
What are your favorite foods? How often do you eat fast food or junk food? Do you care about the nutritional contents of the things that you eat?
What you eat can influence the health of your prostate. If your diet consists of foods that are high in fat, sugar, or salt, you may have an increased risk of not only prostate problems but also other diseases that can impair your vital organs. For the good of your prostate, you should alter your diet and include more fruits and vegetables in your meal plans. Your prostate and the rest of your body need the essential vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables to efficiently carry out their jobs and keep you healthy.
Below are examples of prostate-friendly foods:
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- Tomatoes
These are rich in the antioxidant called lycopene, which has been found to be beneficial to the cells in the prostate gland.
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- Salmon
This fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help prevent and lower the risk of inflammation.
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- Broccoli
This vegetable contains a chemical called sulforaphane, which is believed to have the ability to stop the growth of cancer cells and support prostate health.
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- Berries
Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries are loaded with antioxidants that can ward off free radicals that can harm and damage the body.
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- Citrus fruits
Lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and limes are overflowing with vitamin C, an essential nutrient that can prevent prostate problems.
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- Nuts
These are a great source of zinc, which is an important mineral that promotes testosterone production. With enough testosterone in the body, various sexual and reproductive functions can occur without any issues.
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Get into a regular exercise routine
Exercising regularly offers a ton of health benefits. It not only can improve your heart health and lung power, strengthen your bones and muscles, and enhance your mood and mental health, it can also boost your testosterone levels, ensuring that the different parts of your reproductive system, including your prostate, are working right.
Examples of beginner-friendly exercises that you can do without or with minimal workout equipment for your prostate health are:
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Push-ups- Burpees
- Brisk walking
- Weight lifting
- Squats
- Swimming
- Chin-ups
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Push-ups
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Get enough rest and sleep
Resting and sleeping give your body the opportunity to repair, recover, and recharge. They are necessary to keep your energy levels up and lower your risk of injuries, diseases, and other health problems.
Every night, you have to get around 7 to 8 hours of sleep so that you can recuperate after a long day. If you fail to do so, you will wake up the next morning feeling groggy, grumpy, and exhausted, unable to focus and think properly and do your responsibilities at work, home, or in school.
In addition, sleeping has been found to be vital to boosting the body’s testosterone levels. One study discovered that getting an extra hour of sleep can give as much as a 15% boost to a man’s testosterone levels. If your testosterone levels are normal, your prostate and the other parts of your reproductive system should not have any problems doing their jobs.
