Protect Your Prostate This Movember
Despite there being over 47,000 cases each year in the UK, most men are still unaware of the risks of prostate cancer.
Over 92% of men don’t have a clue as to what the prostate gland does, 54% don’t know where it’s located, and 17% of men don’t even know they have one!
Well today we’re going back to school as Kegel8 teaches you all about your prostate; notepads at the ready…
What is the Prostate?
The prostate is a tiny gland that is located in your pelvis between the penis and the bladder. It surrounds your urethra (tube that allows urine to pass out of the body) and can put pressure on it if the prostate grows larger. The gland is only found in men and enlarges as you age – typically it’s around the size of a walnut.
The main function of the prostate is to produce a white, thick fluid that, when mixed with sperm produced by the testicles, creates semen.
What is Prostate Cancer?
If cells in your prostate begin to grow in an uncontrolled manner, prostate cancer can develop. It can grow very slowly to begin with, and it can never even cause you any problems. However, some men develop prostate cancer that is more likely to spread, meaning treatment is required to stop the spread of the dangerous cells.
What Causes Prostate Cancer?
A single cause of prostate cancer is unknown. However, there are certain risk factors that can increase the development of the condition. As you age, your chances of developing the cancer increase, with most prostate cancer cases developing in men aged 50 or over. This could be because as men get older their prostate naturally enlarges. Yet, this enlargement is often due to a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
What are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
1 in 8 men will develop prostate cancer at some point in their lives in the UK. Some of the symptoms associated with prostate cancer include:
- Urgently needing the toilet
- An increased need to urinate
- A weak urine flow
- Frequently needing the toilet during the night
- Straining whilst urinating
- Difficulty in starting to urinate
- Erection problems
- A feeling that your bladder is not fully empty
- Blood in urine or in semen
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please do not ignore them. Experiencing these symptoms may also be the cause of a different non-cancerous condition, such as prostate enlargement, but it’s better to be safe and check with your doctor.
How is the Pelvic Floor associated with the Prostate?
Prostate Health - When performing your Kegel exercises, the muscle contractions help to massage the prostate, helping to remove harmful toxins which can build up inside. Prostate cancer treatment can cause a variety of symptoms including urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, and erectile dysfunction. By completing male Kegels after treatment, you can help to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and relieve symptoms quickly.
Incontinence – By exercising your pelvic floor and improving muscle strength, you will be able to go longer between toilet breaks, and fully empty your bladder when it’s time to go!
Erection Difficulty – Kegel exercises are the first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction and impotence. 6 months of pelvic floor exercises are as effective at treating erectile dysfunction as prescribed medication. Kegel exercises can help you get it up and keep it up for longer; plus, stronger erections lead to stronger orgasms. Win-win!
If you find manual Kegel exercises difficult to perform, you can try exercising with an electronic pelvic toner to target the key muscles quickly and efficiently.
Start working on your pelvic health today to protect your prostate this Movember!
