Carth said:
I have been concerned about this lately. I guess because of the reason that I'm on year round. A few questions about this.
1- What are the symptoms of having an enlarged prostate?
2- What causes it? High levels of DHT ? Or high levels of DHT with High Estrogen??
3- How can it be prevented?
BPH Symptoms
BPH symptoms usually start after the age of 50.
They can include:
-Trouble starting a urine stream or making more than a dribble
-Passing urine often, especially at night
-Feeling that the bladder has not fully emptied
-A strong or sudden urge to pass urine
-Weak or slow urine stream
-Stopping and starting again several times while passing urine
-Pushing or straining to begin passing urine
Why BPH Occurs
The cause of BPH is not well understood. No definite information on risk factors exists. For centuries, it has been known that BPH occurs mainly in older men and that it doesn't develop in men whose testes were removed before puberty. For this reason, some researchers believe that factors related to aging and the testes may spur the development of BPH.
Throughout their lives, men produce both testosterone, an important male hormone, and small amounts of estrogen, a female hormone. As men age, the amount of active testosterone in the blood decreases, leaving a higher proportion of estrogen. Studies done on animals have suggested that BPH may occur because the higher amount of estrogen within the gland increases the activity of substances that promote cell growth.
Another theory focuses on dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a substance derived from testosterone in the prostate, which may help control its growth. Most animals lose their ability to produce DHT as they age. However, some research has indicated that even with a drop in the blood's testosterone level, older men continue to produce and accumulate high levels of DHT in the prostate. This accumulation of DHT may encourage the growth of cells. Scientists have also noted that men who do not produce DHT do not develop BPH.