If you are a man over 40, it is likely that you are or will sometime experience the problems related to BPH, an acronym for benign prostatic hyperplasia. This is a condition in which the prostate starts to grow again and gradually might pinch the urethra, causing urinary problems. A very potent form of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) becomes dominant. DHT tends to cause prostate cells to multiply excessively enlarging the prostate. A number of environmental pollutants also seem to increase the presence of this hormone in the prostate.

Half of all men over 40 have BPH to some extent. Some men have an enlarged prostate without it affecting the urethra. They might not even know they have BPH. Others experience one or more of the typical symptoms of BPH – weak stream, inability to delay urination, more frequent urination (day & night), painful or bloody urination, not emptying the bladder completely, difficulty stopping and starting, and incontinence (no control).

Watch for the next post where we’ll discuss natural ways to treat the prostate.