Categories
Prostate Problems

Enlarged Prostate

There were times when you just think of how hard and how long you want your erections to be, there is perhaps another area we should look at – The Prostate!

Something naked that you can’t see or feel, and it runs down towards the penis! Let’s go a little further but not to detail, a better understanding of man’s health.

WHAT IS THE PROSTATE?

The prostate is a small gland located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder (where the urine is stored). The prostate also surrounds the urethra, the canal which urine passes out of the body from the bladder to the penis. The gland is composed of two lobes enclosed by an outer layer of tissue. It is comprised of secreting glands, but a mass of muscle and connective tissue which is vital for proper bladder operation and urine flow-rate control.

One of the main roles is to make the milky seminal fluid into the urethra as sperm when out of the urethra. The prostate also provides the power to expel this fluid through your penis during sexual climax. (If you remember your biology, your testes manufacture spermatozoa which is then stored in the epididymis. During orgasm, the vas deferens pushes the sperm into the urethra.). When orgasm and ejaculation occur, the semen in which spermatozoa travel out of the body is almost 90% driven by the prostate.

The fluid produced by the prostate, prostatic fluid, does two other things: makes the woman’s vaginal canal less acidic and protects a man’s urinary system and genitals from infection. Sounds too clinical?

Simple, no prostate, no orgasm. Does that mean No Erections? Don’t get panicky yet, let’s hear it out! It is a misconception among men. But there is good and bad news. The good news is the majority of men who are treated for prostate problems report no loss in at least that part of their sexual ability. However, the bad news is because the urethra runs right through the middle of the prostate, a growth spurt of the prostate will squeeze the urethra canal and begin to choke its ability to let things get through. Thus, affect both your ability to urinate and perform sexually.

Similar to erectile dysfunction or poor penis health, most men feel uncomfortable talking about it. It’s unfortunate that the gland plays a role in both sex and urination. It is an ordeal hard for most men to come to terms with. It is never a loss to gain more knowledge (about the prostate). A healthy diet and exercise regimen may ease a great deal of unnecessary pain and avoid suffering from prostate enlargement, inflammation, and cancer.

AN ENLARGED PROSTATE.

As the prostate enlarged, the surrounding capsule stops it from expanding, causing the gland to expand in the other direction, and pressing against the urethra just like clamping a hose. The bladder wall compensates by pressing harder. This causes it to become more muscular, thicker, and smaller causing the urge “to go” more frequently even when it contains only small amounts of urine.

Sometimes a man does not know he has prostate problems until he suddenly finds himself unable to urinate at all. This condition known as acute urinary retention may be triggered by over-the-counter colds or allergy medicines. When partial obstruction is present, urinary retention also can be brought on by alcohol, cold temperatures, or a long period of immobility. It is important to tell your doctor about urinary problems such as those described above.

Categories
Fertility Problems

Irregular Periods

When a fertilized egg arrives in the uterus, the lining must be precisely prepared to receive it. If the egg is released too soon or too late, the uterus lining will be either too immature or too ripe for implantation. The fertilized egg cannot survive unless it becomes implanted in the uterus and will be shed. It can be seen that the timing of ovulation is a critical factor for successful implantation.

One early warning signals that ovulation might be occurring too early or too late is irregular periods. Another warning signal is a lack of copious and watery mucus at mid-cycle. Anovulation, no egg production, is an obvious cause of infertility. This can also show as very irregular periods. Painful cramps during a period are not implicated in early or late ovulation, nor has PMS been found to be involved. If any of the warning signals are present, visit the fertility clinic without delay. Fertility drugs can be effective in the management of irregular periods.

Categories
Fertility Problems

The Biological Clock

The ovaries have a lifetime supply of egg follicles from birth. These ripen into eggs, which can be fertilized to produce pregnancy. By age 30, the eggs have been present for some time. In problems of fertility, the quality of the egg is critical. Therefore, the woman’s age becomes a very important factor.

Age co-factors also include: less frequent ovulation and less regular periods by the late 30s and 40s. The older the woman, the greater the risk of exposure to tubal obstruction. If pregnancy occurs, there is a higher risk of spontaneous abortion. It can be seen that a woman’s reproductive life has a limited time span.

Keep in mind that fertility data are averages only. No woman can consider that she is too old to conceive until her menopause is complete.

The risk of birth defects rises with increasing years. Down’s Syndrome, a chromosome disorder, which affects the mental and physical abilities of the baby, is the most common female age-related defect. It occurs:

  • 1 out of 365 births at age 35
  • 1 out of 109 births at age 40
  • 1 out of 32 births at age 45
  • 1 out of 12 births at age 49

The risk of men age 40 plus passing on birth defects was estimated at 3 per 1,000. Recent findings seem to suggest that it could be higher. Researchers now understand that sperm in men of all ages are more likely to cause birth defects than was previously thought.

The Timing Factor

Timing for the optimum chance of fertilization is critical. Once the egg is in the oviduct, it only remains viable for the next 12 to 24 hours. It must be fertilized during this time. Sperm only remain viable for a maximum of 48 hours. It is essential to know the precise date of ovulation to maximize the optimum chance of fertilization.

Ovulation predictor tests are commercial kits that can be obtained from a local pharmacy. They are inexpensive, simple to use, and accurate. They measure the surge of LH hormones which trigger ovulation. By frequent testing of urine samples and charting the results, the actual time of ovulation can be worked out.

Transvaginal ultrasound is the new high-tech method to detect the time of ovulation. The probe is placed in the vagina, and shows the ovaries with their developing follicles on a monitoring screen. Ultrasound to detect ovulation is costly. Older women may choose this method if the sands of time are running against them. By comparison, charting the vagina temperature, the cervical mucus, and so on, come a poor third. Ovulation is a major factor in female fertility. Know the time of ovulation.

Categories
Fertility Problems

Fertility Drugs

There are different kinds of fertility drugs to stimulate the ovaries. Each has advantages and disadvantages in terms of time, negative side effects, cost, and so on. Some are taken orally, others require shots. Still, others are delivered via a pump which is worn at the waist with a drip feed entering a vein in the arm; this allows for small doses to be slowly and steadily absorbed.

Fertility drugs work in various ways, usually on the pituitary and/or hypothalamus. They stimulate the ovaries in the early part of the cycle to produce more and better follicles. They are very effective; 80 to 90 percent of women will ovulate regularly on the 13th or 14th day. Where the only cause of infertility is poor ovulation, there is a very good chance of pregnancy.

In fact, fertility drugs stimulate the ovaries so successfully that more than one egg is produced. This results in the problem of multiple births. There is a 10 to 25 percent chance of twins and triplets; with higher numbers, some of the embryos die, and/or are severely retarded. Though fertility drugs do involve multiple births, further research may soon reduce this risk.