If you open a magazine in a waiting room, you’d think only women face bladder problems.

But for men, changes in the prostate gland can have them feeling the pressure, urgency and need to empty the old bladder numerous times a day — not to mention the frequent nighttime trips to the toilet.

The good news is that understanding these age-related changes can help men find relief…

A ‘growing’ problem

The prostate gland is located at the base of the bladder and is usually about the size of a walnut (about 4.8 grams in weight).

However, for reasons doctors still don’t understand, when men hit their 30s, the gland hits a second growth spurt. By the time a man is in his 70s, the gland is a whopping 40 grams on average — nearly 10 times its normal weight.

This growth puts pressure on the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis and out of the body, which is why many men experience urinary changes as they age.

Other issues can spur the growth of the prostate, worsening urinary symptoms. These include inflammation, which is also known as benign prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate, which is a blockage of the tubes due to non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate.

Bathroom and bedroom problems linked to a growing prostate

Numerous urinary symptoms can result from an enlarged prostate that are not only troubling but negatively impact a man’s quality of life, including:

• Trouble beginning to urinate
• Lack of force in urination (making it difficult to direct the urine stream)
• Dribbling after urination
• Feeling like you haven’t fully emptied your bladder
• Needing to urinate frequently (both during the day and at night)
• Urinary urgency (this can include urgency so sudden you can’t make it to the toilet in time)
• Feeling like you have to go soon after urinating

Next, two things happen that a man hopes he’ll never experience…

First, most men can reach this point without experiencing a bladder infection. But an enlarged prostate makes it difficult to empty the bladder fully. And when urine collects and stews, it’s ripe for bacteria and infection.

Secondly, prostatitis or BPH can put the brakes on a man’s sex life. Indirectly, these conditions can reduce both sex drive and satisfaction and create problems with ejaculation.

Supporting prostate health

Luckily, an enlarged prostate gland doesn’t always cause urinary problems. And even if you have troublesome urinary symptoms, they’re rarely a sign of something serious. Of course, you should always let your doctor know about any problems or changes you experience, just to be sure.

But there’s no reason a man should silently suffer and stop doing the things he enjoys for fear of a bladder leak.

Over time, several natural remedies have proven their worth and are available as individual supplements and in special formulations. Those always at the top of the list include:

1. Saw Palmetto appears to reduce levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that, at elevated levels, causes the prostate to become enlarged.
2. Beta-Sitosterol. Studies show that beta-sitosterol can help improve urinary flow rates, reducing the amount of urine left in the bladder after urination and improving overall quality of life.
3. Lycopene is a compound found in tomatoes and is considered the “ultimate male antioxidant” to help combat free radicals that can cause cell damage.
4. Selenium is an essential mineral that helps promote the natural death of old, damaged cells.
5. Red Clover Extract. Isoflavones from red clover may inhibit smooth muscle contractions in the prostate and help relieve unwanted prostate symptoms.
6. Pygeum Bark Extract. Although pygeum has been studied for a variety of ailments, including calming the frequent urge to "go."
7. Pumpkin Seed. Double-blind scientific studies have shown that pumpkin seed extract improves urinary flow and voiding time and reduces residual urine volume.
8. Nettle Leaf Extract. Several studies have found stinging nettle root to be effective at promoting normal prostate size and relieving urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged and aging prostate.
9. Zinc. The prostate gland contains a high concentration of this mineral, and nature put it there for a reason: testosterone levels, which are important to maintain as you age.
10. D-mannose can prevent certain bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. It’s been shown to help proactively reduce recurrent urinary tract symptoms.

Sources:

Prostate gland and urinary problems – Better Health Channel

Walnut Weights & Calories (Including Calculator & Charts) – Weight School