The prostate is a male reproductive gland that produces the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. It surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine passes out of the body.
An enlarged prostate means the gland has grown bigger. Prostate enlargement happens to almost all men as they get older. As the gland grows, it can press on the urethra and cause urination and bladder problems.
The actual cause of prostate enlargement is unknown. It is believed that factors linked to aging and the testicles themselves may play a role in the growth of the gland. Men who have had their testicles removed at a young age (for example, as a result of testicular cancer) do not develop BPH.
Similarly, if the testicles are removed after a man develops BPH, the prostate begins to shrink in size.
Some facts about prostate enlargement:
The likelihood of developing an enlarged prostate increases with age.
BPH is so common that it has been said, "All men will have an enlarged prostate if they live long enough."
A small amount of prostate enlargement is present in many men over age 40 and more than 90% of men over age 80.
No risk factors have been identified other than having normally functioning testicles.
Sexual problems overview (2 images)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Sexual problems are defined as difficulty during any stage of the sexual act (which includes desire, arousal, orgasm, and resolution) that prevents the individual or couple from enjoying sexual activity. Reviewer: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/25/2006
Diabetes (12 images)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Diabetes is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. Reviewer: Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 02/08/2007
Heart disease (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Heart disease is any disorder that affects the heart's ability to function normally. Various forms of heart disease include: Alcoholic cardiomyopathy; Aortic regurgitation; Aortic stenosis; Arrhythmias; Cardiogenic shock; Congenital heart disease; Coronary artery disease (CAD)Dilated cardiomyopathy; Endocarditis; Heart attack (myocardial infarction; Heart failure; Heart tumor; Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; Idiopathic cardiomyopathy; Ischemic cardiomyopathy; Acute mitral regurgitation; Chronic mitral regurgitation; Mitral stenosis; Mitral valve prolapse; Peripartum cardiomyopathy; Pulmonary stenosis; Stable angina; Unstable angina; Tricuspid regurgitation. Reviewer: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/06/2006
Urination - painful (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Painful urination describes any pain, discomfort, or burning sensation during urination. Reviewer: David R. Knowles, M.D., Advanced Urologic Surgeons, Mt. Vernon, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/15/2006
Vasectomy (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A vasectomy is a surgery to cut the vas deferens, the tubes through which a man's sperm travels. After a vasectomy, sperm cannot move out the testes. A man who has had a vasectomy can not make a woman pregnant. A vasectomy is sometimes called "tying the tubes." Reviewer: Neil D. Sherman, MD, Urologist, Essex County, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Date: 06/13/2006
Erection problems (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
An erection problem is the inability to get or maintain an erection that is firm enough for a man to have intercourse. You may be unable to get an erection at all, or you may lose the erection during intercourse before you are ready. If the condition persists, the medical term is erectile dysfunction. Reviewer: Marc Greenstein, DO, Urologist, North Jersey Center for Urologic Care, Denville, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/23/2007
Hemorrhoids (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins in the lower portion of the rectum or anus. Reviewer: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/03/2007
Testicular cancer (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Testicular cancer is an abnormal, rapid, and invasive growth of cancerous (malignant) cells in the testicles (male sex glands adjacent to the penis. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided byVeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/26/2006
Depression (4 images)
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(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods. True clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for an extended period of time. See also: Adolescent depression; Depression in the elderly. Reviewer: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/17/2007
Birth control and family planning (9 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Which form of birth control you choose depends on a number of different factors, including your¿health,¿how often you have sex,¿and whether or not you want children. Reviewer: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy. Previously reviewed by Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/6/2007).Date: 09/28/2007
Male pattern baldness (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men. It usually follows a typical pattern of receding hairline and hair thinning on the crown, and is caused by hormones and genetic predisposition. Reviewer: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 04/12/2007
Testicular cancer (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Testicular cancer is an abnormal, rapid, and invasive growth of cancerous (malignant) cells in the testicles (male sex glands adjacent to the penis. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided byVeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/26/2006
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