Prostate Symptoms: Signs You May Have a Prostate Problem

Prostate symptoms should not be ignored. As men age, it becomes more and more likely that they’re going to have a prostate problem. While there’s not real way to stop this from happening, you can learn to recognize the symptoms. If the problem is caught early, you can treat symptoms before they worsen. Plus, on the off chance that the problem is cancer, catching it early will improve treatment capabilities and may even save your life.

What you need to remember is that not all prostate symptoms are due to cancer. In fact, many men have prostate issues and never develop prostate cancer. Here are the various problems that you could have:

Prostatitis. This term is used for a prostate gland that is swollen due to infection. Acute prostatitis is a temporary swelling caused by a one time infection. If you have this you will likely have a fever and other signs of infection. This can be cleared up quickly with antibiotics. Chronic prostatitis is an ongoing condition caused by a repeated infection. This is more persistent and more difficult to clear up.
Prostate Cancer. This is obviously the most dangerous problem you can have with your prostate. This is the most common type of cancer in men. In addition to looking for symptoms, you should also undergo regular prostate screening to help detect a problem.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. This is the term used for an enlarged prostate that is caused by problems other that infection or cancer. The risk of having BPH increases with age and can be treated. It can cause annoying symptoms but is not serious. There are medicines available that help relieve symptoms, such as the frequent urge to urinate.

Because of the location and function of the prostate, most of the issues you’ll face from prostate problems are associated with urination and sexual functioning. Urination problems include:

Frequent urge to urinate
Inability to pass urine completely or urinate at all
Slow stream or dribbling
Pain or burning while urinating
Blood in urine

Sexual symptoms associated with prostate issues include:

Inability to achieve an erection
Pain during ejaculation
Blood in semen

In addition to these symptoms, you may also experience pain in the lower back and thighs.

Prostate problems occur in a large percentage of men over the age of 50, so it’s best to watch for signs if you’re older. If you pay attention, you may be able to catch a problem before it gets too serious. However, not all men with prostate problems are over 50, so you should see a doctor if you experience symptoms, no matter your age.

Even if your prostate symptoms aren’t severe, you should see a doctor if you have any of the problems mentioned above. While most prostate issues are minor, the earlier a serious problem is detected, the better. Also, there are treatments for minor problems that will probably make you feel a whole lot better.

Prostate Symptoms: Signs You May Have a Prostate Problem

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