Men’s Health 0113 2011 Prostate Problems A man’s prostate gland sits underneath his bladder, wrapped around the urethra (urine tube). It makes a fluid that becomes part of semen. Prostate problems often cause the prostate gland to get bigger and block urine flow. Prostate problems can be helped with medicines and by surgery. The main prostate problems that Bladder men experience are benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer and prostatitis. PROSTATE Benign prostatic Rectum hyperplasia (BPH) Urethra BPH is an enlargement or growth of the prostate gland that is not a cancer. Testicle It is not usually life-threatening, but it Penis The Prostate can put pressure on the urethra and the bladder, which interferes with Signs and symptoms bladder function and urine flow. BPH Symptoms of prostate enlargement is unusual before the age of 45 years, include: but it develops in most men as they get • Difficulty or delay in starting urine flow older. BPH is the most common prostate problem. • Stopping and starting during urination Self Care is a program of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Self Care is committed to providing current and reliable health information. • After feeling finished, a little more to other parts of the body and may urine dribbles out be life-threatening. In the early stages • A slower, weaker urine flow of prostate cancer, most men have no symptoms. By the time prostate cancer is • Feeling the bladder has not causing symptoms, the cancer is usually quite emptied advanced and more difficult to treat. • Needing to urinate more often, both night and day Treatment for prostate cancer includes: • Sudden strong urges to urinate. • Watchful waiting to see if any Treatment complications develop Treatment of BPH includes: • Surgery (radical prostatectomy) to remove the entire prostate • Prescription medicines. Some • Radiation therapy. May be used in medicines relax muscles in the combination with surgery or hormone prostate and bladder and can relieve treatment urinary symptoms within a few weeks. Other medicines shrink the prostate • Brachytherapy. Radioactive ‘seeds’ are gland and may take several months to placed inside the prostate relieve symptoms • Hormone therapy. The growth of • Some herbal medicines may relieve both normal and cancerous prostate symptoms of BPH. Ask a pharmacist cells depends on the male hormone or doctor called testosterone. Hormone therapy to block the production or actions • Transurethral Resection of the Prostate of testosterone in the body can stop (TURP) surgery to remove some of the cancer growth. If the prostate cancer prostate gland is aggressive and has spread to other • Other treatments (e.g., laser or parts of the body, hormone therapy ultrasound therapy) to destroy some in combination with surgery or of the prostate gland. radiotherapy is often recommended. Prostate cancer Prostatitis Diagnosed mainly in men over 50 Prostatitis is an inflammation or swelling years of age, prostate cancer is one of of the prostate gland. It is not usually the most common cancers affecting life-threatening, but can be very painful. Australian men. Some types of prostate It is most often caused by bacterial cancer are very slow growing and may infection, but in some cases a cause not cause any symptoms or serious cannot be found. Prostatitis can affect problems. Other types of prostate men at any age. cancer grow more quickly, may spread To find your nearest Self Care pharmacy go to the pharmacy finder at www.psa.org.au Signs and symptoms Important Symptoms of prostatitis include: Ask a doctor for a prostate check if you: • Pain when passing urine • Have problems or changes with • Frequent urination urination, or any of the symptoms • Feeling an urgent need to urinate listed on this card • Blood in urine or semen • Are 40 years or older and have a • Pelvis, groin or back pain father or brother who has or had prostate cancer • Painful ejaculation • Are 50 years or older • Fevers, chills, tiredness, aches and pains Treatment involved. Side effects of some of the Treatment of prostatitis depends on treatments include erection problems and the cause and includes antibiotics, urinary incontinence. anti-inflammatory and pain relieving medicines and surgery. Self care Testing Ways to relieve urinary symptoms caused by prostate problems include: Tests for prostate problems include: • Limit caffeine intake (e.g., tea, coffee, • Digital rectal examination (DRE) – a cola, energy drinks). Caffeine can doctor inserts a gloved finger through increase urine production and irritate the anus into the rectum to feel if the your bladder. prostate is enlarged or abnormal • Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol can • Prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood increase urine production and irritate test – a raised PSA blood level suggests your bladder a prostate problem • Don’t drink anything within one or two • Urinary tract investigations, such as an hours of bedtime, to reduce night time ultrasound examination trips to the toilet. • Prostate biopsy – samples of prostate • Avoid constipation. A full, hard bowel tissue are collected and tested in the can put pressure on the prostate laboratory. • Try to urinate when you first feel Treatments the urge • Plan regular toilet visits (e.g., every four Prostate problems are not always treated to six hours during the day) immediately. Decisions about treatment depend on the prostate problem, how Note: Some medicines (e.g., bad the symptoms are and the age, decongestants in cold and flu products) health and preferences of the man can worsen urinary problems. Ask a pharmacist for advice. To find your nearest Self Care pharmacy go to the pharmacy finder at www.psa.org.au The Poisons Information Centre For more information In case of poisoning phone 13 11 26 from anywhere in Australia. Andrology Australia Pharmacists are medicines experts. Phone: 1300 303 878 Ask a pharmacist for advice when Website: www.andrologyaustralia.org choosing a medicine. Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia National Helpline: 1800 22 00 99 Related fact cards Website: www.prostate.org.au Bladder and Urine Control Lions Australian Prostate Cancer Erectile Dysfunction Website Men’s Health Website: www.prostatehealth.org.au Continence Foundation of Australia National Continence Helpline Phone: 1800 33 00 66 Website: www.continence.org.au Healthdirect Australia Phone: 1800 022 222 Website: www.healthinsite.gov.au Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) Your pharmacist can advise on CMI leaflets. National Prescribing Service (NPS) Medicines Information Phone: 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) Website: www.nps.org.au Your Self Care Pharmacy: Reviewed January 2011, Published February 2011. © Pharmaceutical Society of Australia www.psa.org.au.