Male Reproductive System Disorders

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• QWhat is the rate of incidence for prostate diseases?

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  A Ogden Regional Medical Center answered

  The likelihood of a man having benign prostate disease by the time he's 65 is almost two-thirds, and it continues to increase in the course of his lifetime. The likelihood of a man being diagnosed with prostate cancer sometime in his life is 1 in 6, or about 16 percent. The likelihood of those men having a difficult time with their prostate cancer if it's diagnosed late is minimal.

  Usually men should start to be screened for prostate cancer at age 50 unless they have a strong family history of prostate cancer, in which case they ought to be screened earlier.

  Early prostate symptoms to watch for are lower urinary tract symptoms, or difficulties with urination. These include a slow stream, having to wait for the stream to start, hesitancy, getting up at night frequently, an increase in urinary frequency and a feeling of not emptying the bladder completely.

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• QWhen should I call my doctor if I have prostatitis?

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  A RealAge answered

  If you have prostatitis (swelling and/or bacterial infection of the prostate gland) there are several reasons why you may need to call your doctor right away:

  • You have difficulty passing urine or see blood in the urine.
  • You are unable to pass urine at all.
  • You are experiencing fever, chills and pain that do not improve, or worsen over a 36-hour period.
  • You experience confusion.
  • You experience a drop in your normal blood pressure.

  Prostatitis is a treatable condition. Prostatitis caused by a bacterial infection can usually be treated successfully with antibiotics. Possible nonbacterial causes include viruses, parasites, trauma, irritation nerve problems, urinary tract irritation and pelvic floor problems, among other causes. Swelling of the prostate gland that is not caused by a bacterial infection may improve by avoiding certain dietary triggers (such as caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods), taking soothing baths and using cushions to reduce pain, and in some cases taking medications prescribed by your doctor to improve urine flow.
  
  If you are taking a medication prescribed by your doctor, it is important to follow the full course of the prescription, even if you no longer have any symptoms. With infectious prostatitis, for example, the symptoms may disappear before the infection has completely cleared.
• QWhat is testicular torsion?

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  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  This happens when the testicle twists on its own blood supply, and it hurts like the dickens. If you get sudden pain in your groin or in the testicle, it needs fixing that hour, or you risk losing the testicle. See your doctor
  immediately. Not tomorrow.
• QHow many men will need some kind of prostate surgery?

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  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  Various medical procedures exist for treating both benign diseases of the prostate (such as BPH) and prostate cancer. if you decide that the discomfort of your symptoms or rate of the cancer's growth outweighs the risks associated with losing your prostate. In some cases, surgery may be preferable to taking drugs for the rest of your life. In fact, 30 percent of men will eventually undergo some type of prostate surgery.
• QWhat are the two main groups of medications used for prostate problems?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Prostate conditions can be tougher to treat than lovesickness - it's hard to extinguish the pain. While not full-fledged cures, many medications have been shown to have some levels of success. Your major options:

  • Selective alpha-1 blockers: These medicines, like terazosin (Hytrin) and tamsulosin (Flomax), control the smooth muscle contraction around the prostate, relaxing the muscles to allow for easier urinary flow from the bladder. About 50 percent of men who take them see a reduction in prostate-related symptoms, while about 5 percent experience the side effect of hypotension (low blood pressure).
  • 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors: Medicines like finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart) shrink prostate cells to reduce prostate volume (up to 25 percent in one year) and reduce PSA by 50 percent, though they take six months to take effect and work only about one-third of the time. One rare side effect: decreased libido.
• QWhat is acute bacterial prostatitis?

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  A Greenville Health System answered

  Acute bacterial prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that begins suddenly and gets worse quickly. It is caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms include fever and chills, body aches, pain in the lower back and genital area, a burning feeling during urination, and problems with emptying the bladder all the way.
  This answer is based of source information from the National Cancer Institute.
  The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nor does the contents of this website constitute the establishment of a physician patient or therapeutic relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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• QWhat is chronic bacterial prostatitis?

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  A Dr. Marc B. Garnick, MD , Hematology & Oncology, answered

  Chronic bacterial prostatitis is caused by bacteria. It appears to be more common in older men who have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and it can follow a bout of acute bacterial prostatitis. Unlike the acute form, however, chronic bacterial prostatitis is a subtle, low-grade infection that can begin insidiously and persist for weeks or even months.
  
  Treatment requires the same antibiotics used for the acute form, usually for one to three months, but even with the prolonged treatment, the infection often recurs. If this happens, the recurrence can usually be controlled with another course of antibiotics.

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• QWhat is prostatitis?

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  A RealAge answered

  Prostatitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland, usually the result of an infection. The typical symptoms of an acute inflammation are usually severe and develop quickly. They include frequent, urgent, and painful urination; fever and chills; pain around the base of the penis; pain during bowel movements; and lower back pain. A chronic inflammation may not produce symptoms, or they may develop more gradually. Possible symptoms include frequent, painful urination; pain and tenderness at the base of the penis and in the testes, groin, pelvis, or back; painful ejaculation; or blood in the semen.

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• QWhat are the major health concerns for men?

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  A Dr. Sangtae Park, MD , Urology, answered on behalf of NorthShore University HealthSystem

  The leading cause for death in the US is cardiovascular disease, followed by cancer. So, it is critically important to get checked for high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, exercise regimen, quit smoking, balanced nutrition, etc. for heart and vascular health.  Then, you should discuss with your doctor about prostate, colorectal cancer screening and other general health maintenance issues.

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• QShould I talk to my doctor about my prostate disease symptoms?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  If left untreated, prostate diseases can have serious effects on your body, including incontinence, impotence, infertility, and - in the case of prostate cancer - cancer spreading to other organs. If you experience symptoms of prostate disease, including a difficulty urinating, a frequent urge to urinate, or a burning sensation while urinating, talk to your doctor. Although prostate diseases do not cause prostate cancer, the two conditions have similar symptoms. It's important to visit your doctor to identify the cause of your symptoms. Early intervention is critical to managing prostate diseases and protecting your quality of life.