Prostate Problems? How To Prevent Pain From Occurring When You Have Sex Or Go To The Loo

A staggering 75 per cent of men over the age of 50 suffer from prostate problems, including prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - an enlarged prostate.

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting men in the Western world - and the statistics make worrying reading. The condition kills over 10,000 British men each year and, alarmingly, 50 per cent of men having their prostate gland removed are left impotent (Cancer Research Campaign Factsheet, 1994). In terms of BPH, up to 78,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the UK alone.

Fortunately, studies have shown that alternative treatments for prostate cancer and BPH can be extremely beneficial... and can even prevent the need for risky prostate surgery that 40,000 men undergo every year in the UK. Speak to your doctor about all the treatment options available to you before agreeing to surgery

Surgery is the main treatment for prostate cancer, the unpleasant side effects of which can include impotence and incontinence. Radiotherapy may also be recommended but it can also cause adverse effects such as impotence, bladder irritation and diarrhoea. A new form of therapy is Radioactive Seed Implantation. Small pellets containing radioactive medication are permanently inserted into the prostate, where they emit low-level radiation for about a year. This procedure is less invasive than surgery and, unlike conventional radiotherapy, avoids damaging healthy tissue.

The most popular drug prescribed for BPH is finasteride (Proscar), which is able to shrink the prostate gland. However, you should be aware that it may take up to three months to work and can cause reduced libido or impotence. You may also be prescribed alpha-blockers to relax the urethra and so improve urine flow, but their side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and headaches.

As already mentioned, there are plenty of beneficial natural treatments available for both prostate cancer and BPH. Make sure you discuss all the treatment options through with your doctor first and keep him fully informed about any natural treatments you decide to take.

Herbs can be as effective as drug therapy for BPH, but faster and safer
The herb saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) has been used by Native American Indians to treat urinary tract problems for centuries. Clinical trials have found that it works as well as finasteride for BPH, without the drug's undesirable side effects. In a randomised international study of more than 1,000 patients, both saw palmetto and finasteride relieved BPH in two thirds of cases, but saw palmetto worked faster and resulted in far fewer problems regarding sexual function, decreased libido and impotence (Prostate 29: 231-40, 1996). The recommended treatment dose is 160-200mg twice a day.

Another herb that can help BPH symptoms is Pygeum africanum. It's a good source of compounds called sterols, which have been shown to reduce swelling and inflammation of the prostate (Phytotherapy 68(3): 205-218, 1997).

In three placebo-controlled, double-blind studies, men using this herb experienced a marked improvement in their symptoms and a reduction in prostate size (Wein Klin Wochenschr 102: 667-73, 1990). The recommended treatment dose is 100 to 200mg a day.

A healthy prostate gland contains higher levels of zinc than any other body organ. Many studies have shown that zinc supplements can reduce the size of the prostate and can reduce symptoms in the majority of BPH patients (Fed Proc 1976; 35: 361). 60mg a day should be taken for the first 6 months, then reduced to 15-30mg a day. Take 50mg of vitamin B6 a day at the same time, since it is essential for the proper absorption of zinc.

Take these natural remedies to help fight prostate cancer
According to a recent US study conducted at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, men in the early stages of prostate cancer who reduce their calcium intake may significantly lower their chances of the cancer progressing to an advanced stage. It is thought that high levels of calcium prevent the action of an enzyme that normally converts vitamin D to its active form 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D - it is this latter form of vitamin D which is believed to prevent the proliferation of prostate cancer cells (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2002; 11: 719-725).

Unfortunately the study was not able to recommend a minimum calcium intake level, but strongly encouraged a moderation of calcium intake for those with prostate cancer. Foods containing calcium include dairy products, dark green vegetables and nuts. Plus, make sure you're not taking a multi-vitamin supplement containing calcium.

Researchers at Stanford University in the US released study findings in 2001 showing that men with low blood levels of the trace mineral selenium are four to five times more likely to develop prostate cancer than men with normal levels of the mineral (J Urology 2001; 166: 2034-8). In an earlier 10-year trial, involving over 1,300 people, those taking 200mcg of selenium daily halved their risk of dying from cancers of the prostate, lung, colon and rectum (J. Am. Med. Assoc. 276(24): 1957-63, 1996).

Brazil nuts have a very high selenium level, with fish, shellfish and turkey providing good levels too. Selenium supplements are also available - take 200mcg a day.
Lycopene, the pigment that causes the red colour in tomatoes, plays a major role in maintaining the health of the prostate gland. A recent study suggested that lycopene supplements could reduce the growth of prostate cancer (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2001; 10: 861-8).

Patients scheduled for prostate removal received a 15mg lycopene supplement twice a day for three weeks. They experienced an average 20 per cent drop in prostate specific antigen levels - a diagnostic measure for prostate cancer - and their tumours began to shrink. Make tomatoes a regular part of your diet, preferably cooked and with added olive oil in order to increase the amount of lycopene you absorb. Alternatively, you can take a supplement of 30mg a day.