Goodbye June, Hello BPH Management!

It's the end of June- time flies! Did you get a chance to celebrate Pride, take part in Men's Health Month awareness, Father's Day, and the start of summer? As the days go by, men around the world continue to manage or neglect their health issues, including BPH (prostate enlargement).  

BPH is short for benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is the medical term for enlarged prostate, and symptoms may include frequent urination and uncomfortable urinary symptoms like poor flow, urges, and difficulty in starting and stopping flow. 

Beyond men's health month, we think it's important for men to love their health and care for their prostate so that they can manage the growth in size that commonly comes with age. 

We invite you learn more about UMOOZE, which has been clinically studied for its efficacy on BPH patients when managing urinary symptoms and prostate condition based on their IPSS scores and other measurements. The study is open to the public on the Clinical Trials website (study number NCT02313233). 

Whether you are open to the natural route for BPH symptom management or not, your lifestyle choices may help support management, especially in the mild stages. 

In these hot months of summer, you can still enjoy the weather by keeping safe in social distance practices and hygiene in light of the pandemic, and you can find support for months to come when it comes to BPH awareness through our blog! 

 

Men's Health Month is Almost Over- What Did You Learn About BPH?

As June comes to a close, so too do the month-long campaign for men's health awareness known as Men's Health Month as well as the LGBT community's Pride Month. That doesn't mean that we should stop supporting these causes once July hits! Continued support to the communities around us are important, and these monthly celebrations or campaigns are simply reminders as well as opportunities to impart knowledge and encourage action. 

Our call to action is to have our audience learn more about BPH (prostate enlargement), a common condition in older men, and to take action if you are a BPH patient or know someone who is. Action can mean practicing healthier lifestyle habits like eating healthy and moving more, considering natural complementary therapy to your current regimen, increasing circulation to the area, talking to your doctor, and reading and sharing information in support of BPH responsibly. 

BPH is when the prostate gland grows in size and can potentially interfere with regular urinary function in the forms of frequent urination, weak urinary flow, sensation of urine remaining after voiding, stopping and starting (intermittent) flow, and more. Untreated, it could affect the bladder, kidneys, and sexual function because the prostate is part of the male reproductive system responsible for producing seminal fluid. 

Although some men may not recognize BPH by name, they know the feeling of getting up many times day and night to go to the bathroom- losing rest, being tied to the nearest bathroom, and interference with married and work life are all frustrating problems faced by older men with BPH. 

Even if you are still young or are approaching your 40s where BPH may start to manifest, it is still good to keep healthy habits to reduce the risk of worsening BPH. The prostate is growing throughout a man's life, so for many men, it's not a matter of if but when BPH will hit. 

In Asia, where incidence rates of BPH are lower, some have suggested a diet of soy in their nutrition has benefitted their prostate health, as well as more physical activity (walking, jogging, and swimming may be good options). 

Just because June is ending doesn't mean that BPH will cease to exist! Join us in supporting men's health, and share our BPH blog available in many platforms, to help spread awareness: 

https://linktr.ee/sunjourhc

4 Days Left of Men's Health Month: Prostate Enlargement and More

Men's Health Month is coming to its conclusion for the year, but just as we support and appreciate our fathers beyond just on Father's Day, we can support the men's community and their health beyond just this month of awareness. 

For us, BPH (prostate enlargement) is the area we choose to place the spotlight because it's not talked about enough. For others, they may place the spotlight on men's mental health, heart health, testicular cancer, or other forms of prostate disease. 

Health in body and mind is important, and as men age, it can sometimes be a challenge to manage overall health. 

Facilitating the conversation can start by introducing it in a non-stigmatizing way. Jokes about prostate exams may be one of the reasons men aren't keen on going to see their urologist. A moment of physical discomfort may be worthwhile if a problem is detected that needs management. There is nothing humiliating about an exam, and a man's masculinity or sexual orientation should not be put into question over having a medical exam. 

Jokes about masculinity and societal pressure on men to not discuss their feelings may also be the cause of higher rates of mental health issues in men. Being able to talk things out in a safe space with a loved one and a specialist can help men find the tools to live a better life. 

The internet can be a double-edged sword when it comes to finding support. While there is a plethora of information, it is important to do your due diligence and ensure that sources are credible or that there isn't potentially dangerous misinformation spreading around. In addition, online support groups may come with their set of people who aren't agreeable. However, after sifting through some of the noise, you may be able to find the right type of support, like trying on some pairs of shoes and finding the right fit. 

Whether you're open to traditional Chinese medicine and want to encourage more studies to be conducted to ensure its efficacy, or you're looking for basic daily life tips for nutrition and exercise, you'll realize that you're not alone in your men's health journey. 

BPH is a very common condition that occurs as men get older, because the prostate grows in size throughout a man's life. Frequent urination and poor urinary flow can interfere with a man's daily life, so the more we know about BPH the more solutions we may be able to find and the more support and understanding we may be able to extend to BPH patients. 

Men's Health Month is taking a bow, but that doesn't mean you have to. Continue putting your health first, and the joys of life will follow! 

It's the Last Week of Men's Health Month, but not the end of BPH!

Men's Health Month officially ends in 5 days till the next one, but that doesn't mean men's health will stop being important! The conditions affecting men, including BPH (prostate enlargement) will unfortunately continue to plague men for a while. However, we can do our part by raising awareness and offering support for men. Encouraging more health checks and research, offering more support (accountability, motivation, a listening ear, etc.) and taking action within ourselves is what men's health month strives for not just in the month of June, but all year round. 

Whether you're a man dealing with mental health issues like depression, a prostate condition like BPH with frequent urination, or you're neglecting your overall health, there's time to get back on track to improve quality of life. Knowledge is power, and caring for your body and mind will allow you to enjoy those activities you love, like writing with fountain pens, playing some golf, riding your convertible along the highway, and travelling (once it's safe to do so). 

Have you spread the message of men's health? The slogan of men's health month is "show us your blue," because the color blue is used in solidarity with men's health, including prostate health issues. Not enough men are talking about their health, so let's provide a safe space to welcome and spread their voice! 

Remember to practice good nutrition, safe physical activity, and management of BPH. Read our blog posts to learn more about BPH. 

When Life Gives You Lemons... From Golf Ball to Lemon Sized Prostates

Lemons are tasty in lemonade during the summer, but when your prostate is the size of a lemon, that can be a problem. The prostate gland helps produce seminal fluid and is part of the biologically male reproductive system. It starts off the size of a walnut, growing gradually throughout a man's life to the size of a golf ball, and then the size of a lemon or apricot. 

June is Men's Health Month, and prostate enlargement is something we want to spread awareness of. Prostate enlargement is also known as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), and it is usually associated with frequent urination, urinary discomfort like urges and sensation of remaining urine, and slow and weak urinary flow.

Prostate growth comes with age, but all the unpleasant things that come with prostate growth don't have to get in the way of a man's daily life if he can properly manage his prostate enlargement. Knowing what BPH is can help you start to form your management strategy. 

A balanced nutritious diet low in trans fats can help. Avoiding or reducing spicy food and caffeine can reduce irritation on the bladder. Staying active with walks, jogging and swimming can keep you fit and lower the risk of negative impact. Doing pelvic floor exercises can help you control urges and incontinence as well as heat therapy to promote blood circulation to the prostate and bladder (safe use of heating pads and warm baths, depending on your desire to preserve fertility and sexual function). Taking a clinically proven plant based therapy (see the clinical trial of UMOOZE as an example) may help manage mild symptoms. Awareness of fluid intake during the day and reducing intake at night can help reduce those interruptive night trips to the bathroom. 

Talking to your doctor and keeping watch of how your BPH is progressing, how much impact it's having in your life, and what your options are all important in maintaining your prostate health. Getting support from fellow BPH patients and responsibly sharing information is important, too.   

This summer, read more about BPH and spread awareness! Help men know their health is important, that their quality of life is important, and that you support men's health, too! 

Having a Large Prostate in the Summer

Summer is hot, hot, hot! But what happens when your prostate is big, big, big? An enlarged prostate is medically known as BPH. Do you know about BPH? It is a common condition in older men, and it may be associated with frequent bathroom trips, urinary discomfort, and restless nights. 

The global pandemic has already put a hamper on many things this year, and for the men living with BPH, quality of life might be compromised. 

BPH affects not only men, but the people around them, too!

Men who share a bed with their partners and get up many times a night to urinate- this affects two people's sleep!

Men who hang out with their friends and aren't in the moment because they're focusing on the nearest bathroom- this affects friends!

Men who are travelling with family on a long needed vacation (back when it was okay to travel) aren't in the moment either- this affects family!

Men who aren't doing work as productively because they're lacking energy from lack of sleep- this affects coworkers and clients!

As our population gets older, it might not be far fetched to imagine men's bathrooms where urinals are being taken up by older men with BPH, and their slow and weak urinary flow means taking longer, and longer lines for the men's room. 

Men with BPH who want relief are feeling frustrated, and it doesn't have to be this way! This summer, you can enjoy good weather (safely and practicing social distancing).

Whether you are a proponent of natural solutions (see UMOOZE study on clinicaltrials.gov) or you're trying to modify your lifestyle with healthier nutrition, more physical activity, and voiding techniques, you can find relief, feel a sense of freedom from the bathroom, and have a better quality of life. But the first step is to identify the problem and learn more about it so you can make a decision with your doctor and weigh the best solution for you. 

BPH affects many parts of men's lives, so managing the symptoms and taking a whole body approach could help you age gracefully and enjoy more summers to come! 

Got BPH? You Can Still Enjoy Summer!

June is Men's Health Month! And, summer has officially arrived this past Father's Day weekend! When we think of summer, we think of long walks on the parks and beaches, barbeques, fishing and boating. However, the pandemic has limited our summer vacations a little bit. That doesn't mean that men with BPH can't enjoy the summer anyway!

What is BPH? BPH is the medical term used for men who have an enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate can affect urinary and bladder health with uncomfortable symptoms like frequent urination, slow or weak urinary flow, and sensation of remaining urine after straining to pee. This is a common condition as men get older, but the problem is that not enough people know about it. The more people know, the easier it may be to start on a path to better health early and also manage symptoms if they start to arise. 

Just as men run maintenance on their cars, computers and fountain pens, they need to run maintenance on their bodies, too. Living in good health means a good night's rest, more energy, more productivity and time for relaxation, all of which contribute to a good quality of life. That also means being able to enjoy summer! This can be achieved with regular medical checkups, talking to your doctor, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with healthy nutrition, physical activity and supportive plant based therapy that is clinically proven (try searching for the study on UMOOZE on clinicaltrials.gov). 

If you go out to the beach or park, be sure to maintain social distance, and if you have those barbeque gatherings, keep them in small numbers. Follow the guidelines of your local authorities and practice good hygiene (washing hands fingers and nails with soap for at least 20 seconds in depth). Use a face covering when going out in public to reduce the chances of spread from nose and mouth droplets. 

Together we can overcome the pandemic, and we can also share with men this Men's Health Month awareness of BPH! 

Dads With Large Prostates Will Celebrate Father's Day This Weekend!

Dads around the world are being recognized for the love and support they give to their children, but are we supporting dads where it counts? June is Men's Health Awareness month, a time to educate the public about men's health issues so they can prevent problems down the line, alleviate problems they may already have, and live long and happy. How can you solve a problem you don't know about? That's why Men's Health Awareness gives the tools for men's support. 

The men's health issue we like to focus on is prostate enlargement, known medically as BPH. As a man gets older, his prostate grows in size naturally. Because the prostate is under the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the development of BPH could interfere with urinary health. This translates to getting up a lot go to the bathroom, interrupting yourself and your partner’s sleep, and planning your life around the porcelain throne. This can impact your day to day energy, work flow, and ability to enjoy activities like golfing, fishing, road trips, travels, and more.

Not enough men are going to the doctor even for a health check, but once the symptoms become unbearable, by the time they have gone to the doctor the BPH may have progressed to moderate or severe stages. Catching it earlier can make a difference in the management of symptoms. But in order to catch it early, you need to be aware that such a condition (BPH) even exists. This is where Men’s Health Month and our BPH awareness campaign comes in!

This father’s day, you may have purchased a #1 Dad mug, a golf club, a fountain pen, or a classic car, but on top of that, you can also give him the gift of health by supporting his health journey and spreading awareness to the public about BPH!

Father's Day is in Three Days...What You Need to Know About BPH

Father's Day is just around the corner! Did you know that June is also Men's Health Month? Giving the older fathers in our lives the tools to manage their health issues that arise with age is important! One health issue we focus on is called BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) which is the medical term for prostate enlargement. Although the topic of prostates may not sound fun or comfortable, it is still important nonetheless for men to know their body and know how to care for it. In just the United States, there are an estimated 42 million cases of BPH.

In case you’ve ever wondered just what exactly a prostate is, it’s a small gland about the size of a walnut that is situated below the bladder (which holds urine). The urethra (a tube that carries urine out of the body) runs through the center of the prostate and the penis. The prostate is part of the male reproductive system and its function is to help make seminal fluid that mixes in with the sperm to produce semen.

There are different prostate conditions out there, but one thing we want you to rest assured of is that BPH doesn't increase risk of prostate cancer because as the B in BPH implies (benign), BPH is not cancerous. BPH commonly affects men 50 and older. 

The hormone known as testosterone helps the prostate grow throughout a man's life. Did you know that about 60-70% of men may have BPH in their 60s and that by the time the male population hits the 90s age range, about 90% of men may have developed BPH? This condition can bear a significance on quality of life as we'll later explain.    

Prostate symptoms may be tested with a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test but this PSA test alone cannot determine whether the symptoms men experience are BPH or prostate cancer. It is also important to discuss whether this test is necessary on an individual basis. 

Now, onto the BPH symptoms. As the prostate grows, the urethra is squeezed, blocking the flow of urine from the bladder to out of the body. As a result symptoms include the following:
- frequent urination at day and at night
- sudden urges to urinate
- urinary stream is weak or slow
- difficulty when starting to urinate
- stopping and starting while voiding

The interesting thing is that BPH is the number one reason men go to the urologist even though they may not know it's even called BPH. The impacts that BPH can have on men's lives include the following: 

- A disruption of normal sleeping patterns
- Have to plan life and activities around where the nearest bathroom is (such as needing an aisle seat on the plane and being unable to go on long road trips)
- Changing to use of bathroom stalls instead of urinals due to embarrassment over slow urinary flow or difficulty urinating 

As men age, it is likely that BPH is an inevitable prostate issue, so our advice to the men and dads around the world is not to wait so long to get evaluated, and don't leave it untreated!

Not treating BPH could lead to these problems:

- Permanent bladder damage or compromised bladder condition
- UTIs (urinary tract infections)
- Bladder and/or kidney stones
- Kidney damage
- Bladder retention
- Complete inability to urinate

So what can men do? You can make an appointment with a urologist by telehealth or at their office. You may talk about your medical history and take an IPSS (international prostate symptoms score) survey, and you and your doctor can determine how much your BPH is bothering you.

BPH can be diagnosed or detected with a bladder scan, uroflowmety (to test the speed of urinary flow), a digital rectal exam, a transrectal ultrasound, or a cytoscopy (camera placed through the urethra to check the prostate and bladder)

The IPSS survey scores symptoms based on the patient's feedback and can determine how  mild or severe the BPH is based on a numerical score. 

The sooner you go on treatment and/or manage symptoms the sooner your quality of life can be restored. Treatment options for BPH will depend on a number of factors:

- The size of the prostate
- The age of the BPH patient
- The desire of the BPH patient to preserve his sexual function
- The overall health of the BPH patient
- The severity of BPH symptoms

In mild cases, doctors may recommend monitoring symptoms with watchful waiting.  

One thing to consider is that medication is not the only way to treat BPH. Some concerns about medication are that it may be inadequate and only provide temporary relief, and it may carry unpleasant side effects (dizziness, headaches, sexual dysfunction). This is why about 27% of men stop taking medication after being on it for one year.  

When making a decision about treatment options, men need to evaluate the key differences in long and short term effects and the convenience of the treatment. Will he need a catheter? How long is the recovery period?  Are the side effects permanent or temporary? 

Alternatives to medication in order of risk include plant based therapies, minimally invasive surgeries, or major surgical procedures.

The goal of BPH treatment is to manage and alleviate symptoms so that men can resume a normal daily life. Treatments that have been reviewed by the FDA or have undergone clinical studies could be promising based on the results of success rates. 

And for some men who are still sexually active with their partners, preserving sexual function can be a consideration for their preferred treatment. Men who are sexually active want no problems with ejaculations or erections.

Treating BPH rather than ignoring it could be a gradual change or a night and day difference, but the importance is to start. Some men may not want to use a catheter, they may want little to no down time, and they may also want little to no side effects. They may not want to experience occasional bleeding after urination or pain in bladder or pelvis. 

Treating BPH could be a game changer not only in men's lives but in their partner's lives as well. Husbands and wives want men to see the urologist- don't keep living with bothersome BPH symptoms! Talk to your doctor, get medical opinions, and responsibly seek and share information. 

Granted, medical procedures may be big or scary decisions. If you are considering complementary therapy (taking natural therapy while taking medication) with the goal of reducing or getting off your current prescription dosage, talk to medical professionals before reducing or going off medications to avoid complications. 

Imagine men experiencing urinary frequency at the worst possible times, such as during a long flight (getting up every hour or half hour. Imagine getting up 3-4 times a night (interrupting ability to get good night's sleep). Imagine urinary urges that take place during  demanding schedules with work or life. Imagine being fatigued in the afternoon due to lack of a good night's sleep. This is the reality some men with BPH face day to day when they don't address their BPH.  

Partners of men who may have BPH, ask him to take the IPSS survey. Don't let your partner suffer for years with BPH. Arrange to meet with a urologist.

What does relief look like?
- Feeling more rested
- Getting up less
- Having more energy
- Being less tired
- Doing better in daily life in your career and personal life
- A return to normalcy
- Happiness with yourself and partner

This Father's Day and Men's Health Month, spread BPH awareness! 

Four Days to Father's Day- Managing Lemon Sized Prostates

T-minus four days until Father's Day! While you wait for that fountain pen, necktie, pair of socks, or golf club to get delivered in time for Sunday, did you know there's a free gift you can add on top of that? This free gift isn't cheesy or cheap- it's of high value to your dad! That gift is health awareness. June is Men's Health Month, which makes sense since it takes place on the same month as Father's Day. Men's Health Month covers the awareness of many mental and physical conditions that either affect men due to their anatomy or due to disproportionate rates of occurrence. Compared to women, men are more likely to die earlier, get heart disease, die by suicide, develop cancer, and more. But it doesn't have to all be bleak from here! Men can reduce their risk if they visit the doctor more often, vocalize more often, and get more support and awareness from their peers. 

This is why Men's Health Month is important for putting the spotlight on men's health. Men's health should obviously be important year-round, but we may need reminders along the way, such as Prostate Health Month in September and No Shave November (or Movember). 

We choose to raise awareness of BPH, also known as prostate enlargement, because it is something that as men get older, they are likely to encounter. The prostate in an average adult man is often compared to the size of a walnut, but when BPH occurs, the size of the prostate may grow to the size of a lemon. This makes it push against the bladder above it as well as squeeze the urethra which it surrounds, making the urine go through a more narrow path out of the body. Frequent urination, slow urinary flow, struggle to stop and start urinating, dribbling, and sensation of remaining urine in the bladder after voiding are among the uncomfortable symptoms men may feel when they have BPH. 

Seeing a doctor to get the right diagnosis as well as getting educated on the condition and management methods are all important to having a good quality of life and finding relief from BPH. Relief from BPH, especially in the mild stages, can start with healthy lifestyle modifications, a more nutritious diet, a decrease in excess body fat, clinically proven plant based treatment, heat therapy, double voiding techniques, timing of water intake, physical activity, and more. 

If the dad you are getting a gift for is in his 40s or older, it may be good to spread this knowledge in case he doesn't know BPH by name but is familiar with the symptoms. Give the dads in your life the gifts they can enjoy, but also give them the gift of better health! 

Five Days Until Father's Day: Prostate Enlargement

As you search the internet for a nice Father's Day gift for the men in your life who are fathers, have you noticed that June is Men's Health Month? Men's Health Month seeks to raise awareness to the public about promoting men's health and learning more about men's health issues which include mental health struggles, physical complications that occur more often in men compared to women, as well as anatomy specific conditions in penile, prostatic and testicular health. 

Our blog aims to spread awareness of BPH year-round, but Men's Health Month is a great time to spread our message to you in light of the upcoming Father's Day celebration. BPH is short for benign prostatic hyperplasia, a common condition in older men where the prostate enlarges and interferes with urinary and sexual function. You know those large prostate jokes about men going to the bathroom constantly? That's a BPH reference. But BPH is no joke! It can cause problems if left untreated, and if you live long, you may encounter it as well. You can give your partner, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, son, nephew, friend, or acquaintance the gift of health. One way is through knowledge. Bringing up prostates is not exactly fun, but neither is living with frequent urination, loss of sleep from going to the bathroom often, taking longer in the bathroom, and not feeling like yourself. 

We can push for better quality of life in men! We can share clinical data like the trial of UMOOZE to support men with BPH. We can encourage further study of BPH and safe treatments for men with mild BPH. We can encourage men to get a health check with the doctor instead of avoiding it. 

Sure, a new tie, a fountain pen, or a new golf club might be a fun gift, but the gift of health support for men who may develop or already have BPH has the best value in our book!

Six Days Till Father's Day: The BPH Talk

Did you enjoy the weekend? Has your dad, granddad or uncle been taking care of his prostate? You may not want to think about your father's prostate, but in this week's countdown to Father's Day we want to share with you why it's important for your dad to care for his prostate health. The prostate gland is usually about the size of a walnut in an average adult man's life, but it grows larger in size to the size of a lemon. This is a naturally occurring growth in older age, but it can interfere with urinary and sexual function in men. This condition of prostate enlargement is known as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). 

This condition is more likely to occur the older a man gets. However, unfortunately not many people appear to be aware of BPH. A survey in 2019 conducted in Europe found that over 60% of men over the age of 50 didn't know about BPH. Getting the prostate checked is not only important for detecting cancer, it is also important for detecting if the size of the prostate is enlarging to a point where a man begins to feel urinary symptoms. These symptoms include frequent urination, sensation of urine remaining in the bladder, slow urinary flow, struggle to start and stop urinating, and dribble after urination. 

Frequent urination, especially at night, may also cause a man to get less sleep. On top of lack of sleep, men who experience stress and depression as a result of struggling to manage their BPH may also be more vulnerable in terms of their immune system. His health is important, so even if he doesn't make the time to care, you can hold him accountable. 

Having this talk this month may be good timing because June is Men's Health Month, and the best gift you can give to any dad this father's day is knowledge about keeping his health. Don't get squeamish about bringing up frequent bathroom trips or prostates- it's a conversation well worth having!      

Have You Talked to Your Dad About His Prostate Enlargement Yet?

Happy Friday! You've still got a while until Father's Day, and while you're scrambling to find a tacky tie to gift him, you may not have thought about the best gift of all: his health. 

"Dad, have you gotten checked for prostate enlargement?" isn't something that most sons and daughters typically want to bring up with their fathers, but showing that you care about his health could be the motivator to get him to care, too. 

June is Men’s Health Month, a time to raise awareness and increase support to men experiencing mental and physical health struggles. One of the conditions we passionately raise awareness about is prostate enlargement, also known as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). 

As a man gets older, he may make more bathroom trips than before. In fact, he may find himself getting up multiple times a night to go to the bathroom. During the day, he may be more worried about finding the nearest restroom when he’s out and about than enjoying the moment. He may also notice that at the urinal, he’s struggling to start peeing, or that his urinary stream is slow. These may be signs that his prostate has increased in size to a point that it interferes with his urinary system. It is said that BPH can also interfere with sexual function. 

The last thing we want is for your dad not to get a health check. He needs to see a doctor to make sure that what he has is in fact BPH as opposed to self diagnosing. This is because other disease states of the bladder and prostate may have similar  symptoms. 

The urinary discomfort, loss of sleep, and lowered quality of life can be a struggle for older men, especially if they don’t vocalize these sentiments to their partners, families or doctors.

“I want a better night’s sleep.” 

“I want to feel relief and freedom.”

Your father may be feeling these things and it may be up to you to reach out and show your support. Whether it’s getting him that doctor’s appointment he’s been avoiding or conducting responsible research into BPH symptom management, your gift of support for men’s health will be more invaluable than any tie, watch, fountain pen, golf club, or car that you may buy for your Father’s Day gift. 

If your dad has already been diagnosed with BPH and he’s been put into the watchful waiting recommendation because it’s still mild, you can encourage him to follow a nutritiously balanced diet, go for a jog with him, or help him find a clinically proven natural supplement that he can take to safely reduce his symptoms. 

Make this Father’s Day count! Show us your blue and support BPH awareness! 

BPH: What's Your Social Media Flavor This Men's Health Month?

June is Men's Health Month! Do you have a preferred social media site? Click our Linktree to find the best channel for you to consume our BPH content! https://linktr.ee/sunjourhc 

In case you're wondering, BPH is short for benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is the medical term for prostate enlargement. The prostate grows twice in a man's life: once after puberty and once after around the age of 25. The problem is that the prostate doesn't stop growing after 25, and once a man is in his 40s and older, he may start to feel urinary discomfort. The anatomy of the prostate is such that its growth in a man's older age can cause it to push against the bladder and squeeze the urethra (the tube from where urine leaves the body). This increases urges and urinary frequency while at the same time making it difficult for urine to flow our properly and smoothly like before. 

One of the biggest complaints about BPH is when men have to get up many times a night to go to the bathroom. Men want relief from this sleep deprivation and they want to go out freely without being worried about where the nearest bathroom is. They also want their intimate bed relations with their partner not to be inhibited by BPH. 

Before we can push the medical community for the continued research of safe ways to manage BPH, we need to know that BPH exists. With so many men getting older and living longer, BPH is becoming more of an inevitability of aging. However, BPH symptom management and restoring quality of life is possible with healthy lifestyle modifications and continued effort on the part of men and the community to bring BPH to the spotlight! 

Whether you prefer clicking in from Facebook, seeing a TikTok video, reading a blog, or something in between, it's now easier than ever to read and share BPH awareness for men not only during Men's Health Month but year round as well! 

 

Keeping A Healthy Lifestyle: BPH (Enlarged Prostate) Edition

June is Men’s Health Month! Show us your blue and help us spread awareness of BPH (prostate enlargement) by reading and sharing this article, as well as your thoughts. 

Men, during the initial peak of the global pandemic, many doctor’s offices were closed temporarily. You may have been previously diagnosed with BPH (prostate enlargement) by your doctor or you suspect that your frequent urination and slow/poor urinary flow symptoms are being caused by BPH. Earlier this year, it may have been hard for you to get a doctor’s appointment to have your prostate checked out (as supportive as telemedicine is, digital rectal exams currently can’t be performed through the screen).  In the meantime, whether you currently struggle with BPH or suspect that you do, a healthy lifestyle can help you begin to manage symptoms or even keep them from getting worse in the case of mild BPH.

Some people use preventative medicine, or they believe that healthy lifestyle choices in and of themselves are a form of preventative medicine to reduce risk of certain disease states. Although the growth of the prostate later in life that causes BPH is not currently preventable by today’s medicine and medica1 technology, it can be managed safely when caught early. This is why it’s important to have awareness early on rather than find out that BPH exists long after your diagnosis. 

The later on you catch or decide to address your BPH, the more likely it is that you may need medicated or surgical intervention, both of which usually carry a higher risk for side effects and complications. 

A healthy lifestyle can reduce the negative impacts of BPH in your day to day life. This includes safely practiced physical activity like walking, jogging and swimming. It also includes nutritionally balanced diets and portions of the recommended food groups. Reducing or avoiding irritants of the bladder like spicy foods, caffeinated beverages and alcohol can benefit the relationship between your bladder and prostate. 

Drinking water during the day and less at night can also help reduce the thickness of urine in the bladder and make urination less painful and irritating to the bladder. 

Double voiding techniques and pelvic floor exercises may support feelings of incontinence, urges and struggle to push out urine associated with BPH.

Clinically proven natural treatments that have been responsibly researched and that are deemed safe by naturopathic physicians or TCM practitioners may also be worth consideration to include as complementary support to your current regimen. As an example, check out this clinical trial of UMOOZE https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02313233

With Father’s Day around the corner, you can show the father, uncle, brother, friend or partner in your life who that his health matters. If nothing else, show yourself that you matter! 

Follow our BPH content anywhere you'd like: https://linktr.ee/sunjourhc 

Protecting Oceans and Prostates

Monday and Tuesday (World Ocean's Day and Coral Triangle Day) are days to bring awareness to marine conservation of our oceans and the diverse life that thrive there. Just as we can gather together passionately for a cause related to helping our environment, we also have the power to gather together passionately for a cause related to our community and our health. 

The health of our marine ecosystem and the health of our men and LGBT members are all important. It's also possible to care about many causes at once, as we've seen with fighting COVID-19 and racial injustice! This month is Men's Health Month and Pride Month. How can we intersect the awareness of marine life with the men's community and LGBT community? 

Once it's safe to do so, doing volunteer ocean cleanups to liberate trash from harming sea life is one idea. Swimming for a cause, where people can exercise by swimming and fundraising for reputable marine life organizations, is another idea. 

We always bring BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) to your attention because it's a prostate enlargement condition that commonly affects men as they get older. It can also affect transgender women in the LGBT community who may have their prostate gland intact depending on how early or late their hormonal therapy took place as well as procedures they may or may not have undergone. 

The month of June encourages men to show us their blue. The inclusive flag of the LGBT community also has the color blue. And, we visually associate the color blue with the sea. As you can see, our lives and the things around us are interconnected. We can share our passion, awareness and support to many parts of our lives! 

Manage your prostate enlargement! Know your risk for prostate diseases! Do your part for marine conservation!  

Wishing Everyone Stay Safe and Healthy During Pride and Men's Health Month

During these difficult times of the global pandemic of COVID-19 and the global outrage over the repeated injustices against the black community in America, we want to encourage a safe environment for those of you who are exercising your right to peaceful demonstrations as well as to those of you staying home in the practice of social distancing. We hope you can be healthy in body and mind through tools such as nutrition awareness, mindful meditation, etc. 

This month we want to use our platform to lift the voices of the men's health community, as well as for people with male sexual organs in the LGBT community who can benefit from men's health awareness, whether they be a gay man, a transgender woman, a non-binary individual, and everyone under the sun who could use this information.

We often center our men's health awareness to one particular condition of prostate enlargement, also known as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). BPH commonly occurs later in a man's life as he ages as well as in people who have a prostate. This may be accompanied by a series of uncomfortable urinary symptoms including frequent urination (especially at night), poor or slow urinary flow, retention of urine in the bladder, struggle to stop or start urination, straining, and dribbling. There may even be sexual dysfunction. It's possible not many people know about this condition, nor are enough older men going to the doctor to find out if they have this condition. It's important to properly get a diagnosis as other prostate and even bladder conditions have similar symptoms. 

Men who are experiencing mild BPH may be recommended to try watchful waiting and positive lifestyle modifications by their doctor to see if symptoms can be managed early on before considering medication and surgery, usually reserved for moderate to severe BPH when management of symptoms is not enough. For mild BPH, taking a holistic approach (including reducing stress, following a nutritious diet, practicing voiding techniques, physical activity, and complementary or alternative herbal medicine) may be beneficial, too. 

We wish you safety and good health during men's health and pride month!       

The Pause on Men's Health and Pride Month

With the current global pandemic as well as the global outrage from the unjust murder of George Floyd in the U.S., many people are trying to balance staying safe from COVID-19 while having their voices and actions ensure that what happened to George Floyd and to many other members of the black community can never happen again. We condemn the excessive force that has unfairly impacted black communities, as well as the imbalance of available resources (health, education, employment, etc.) for black people in the U.S. 

Although in previous years, this time of the year has been dedicated to raising awareness of men's health (for us, BPH/prostate enlargement awareness specifically) and celebrating pride month for the LGBT community, we understand that it can be difficult to think or care about men's health issues and LGBT issues while the pandemic and protests are happening.   

We ask that as citizens of the world, you take the time to support yourself in body and mind, as well as those around you who may choose to stay home for their immune health or choose to go outside and exercise their right to a peaceful protest. Please stay safe and avoid resorting to violent forms of protest such as looting and destruction, as those actions move the conversation away from what's really important. 

George Floyd was a father, and unfortunately Father's Day won't be the same this year for his family without him. Cherish and support your fathers this year for the sake of the families who can't. Support them emotionally and also hold them accountable to care for their men's health.

If you have a family member who is in the LGBT community, show them love and support and celebrate their truth and identity. Compassion and understanding are important for their emotional and physical health as well. 

Hopefully next year the world will be in a better situation, and we can continue progress in the men's health and LGBT communities. Until then, stay safe, stay healthy, and take action responsibly whenever possible.  

If you live in the U.S., you can contact your local authorities about the 8 Can't Wait proposal that ensures policing policies can be carried out fairly on 8cantwait.org 

MTF Transgender Women and BPH (A Men's Health and Pride Month Topic)

A transgender woman is a person who was born biologically male (of the male sex) with male sexual organs, who then transitions to represent their true selves, the female gender. MTF (male to female) refers to the transition from a person with male biology to a person who affirms their gender as female. Sometimes what we tend to forget is, regardless of whether or not a transgender woman has undergone gender-affirmation surgery or hormone therapy, she may still have a prostate gland. As transgender women get older, there have been cases reported of prostate health issues arising. This is why knowing about conditions in the prostate such as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), the medical term for prostate enlargement, is relevant to not only men.

June is Men's Health Month and Pride Month. Men's Health Month raises awareness of conditions related to mental health, the prostate, testicles, and penis because these are conditions known to affect the male biology. In addition Pride Month celebrates the progress of the LGBT community as well as offers support during difficult times of mental health, societal issues, and physical health as well. Women are also very much a part of the men's health community because the men in their lives also need women's support. Not only that, but transgender women may have biologically male anatomy, so the knowledge spread in Men's Health Month can serve to benefit them as well. 

BPH is usually accompanied by uncomfortable lower urinary tract symptoms known as LUTS, which include frequent urination, poor or slow urinary flow, struggle to start and stop flow, pushing or straining, sensation of remaining urine in the bladder, urges, hesitancy, and incontinence. Sexual dysfunction may also occur. Not many people know this condition by the name BPH, but getting up at night frequently to go to the bathroom and the aforementioned urinary discomfort by prompt a visit to the doctor, followed by a BPH diagnosis. 

Healthy lifestyle modifications and practices for bladder relief may support those who have mild BPH, as well as natural complementary treatments which clinically backed data to support BPH patients. 

If you're a transgender woman, although you may not like to think about having a male gland like the prostate, it's important that you take care of all areas of your health so you can continue to live in your truth and live a good quality of life! 

Gay Men and BPH (A Men's Health and Pride Month Topic)

June is Men's Health Month, where we put the spotlight on men's physical and mental health issues in order to garner more support. 

June is also Pride Month, where we honor the history of progress, celebrate the present of the LGBT community, and make strides for continued progress in the future. 

For both of these occasions, today we'd like to talk to you about older gay men who may experience BPH. BPH is benign prostatic hyperplasia, the medical term for prostate enlargement. As men get older, they may have to go to the bathroom more often. They may even have to get up a few times at night to go. They may also notice that when they urinate, their stream is weaker or slower than before. If after a doctor visit and prostate check they are told they have BPH, the recommended course of action varies depending on the stage of BPH. When it is found in earlier mild stages, they may practice watchful waiting and recommend healthy lifestyle modifications to properly manage BPH. 

Although BPH doesn't discriminate by sexual orientation, we wanted to share with you information about a study conducted in gay men. In approximately 2015, the medical journal Nature Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases found that gay men, or more specifically, men who engage in sexual intercourse with men, were experiencing more lower urinary tract symptoms (the ones that may occur with BPH and other diseases) compared to men who did not engage in sexual intercourse with other men. This could be due to hygiene, sexual practices, and other factors, but we want to let gay men know that BPH exists, and that their prostate health is important! 

Gay men, have you heard of BPH? Were you diagnosed with BPH when you spoke to your doctor? Do you have regular check ups to ensure you have a clean bill of health? Are you getting support from friends, loved ones, and fellow men with BPH? 

Living with the discomfort and limitations associated with BPH doesn't have to reduce your quality of life if we amplify the conversation on men's health spheres as well as in the gay men's health spheres. Encouraging more studies and healthier lifestyles can support men! 

 

Men, Be Proud of Who You are and of Your Health!

June is Men’s Health Month as well as Pride Month. For the men who embraced their identities and were able to safely share their truth to the world, know you are celebrated! For the men who cannot safely share their truth, you are celebrated and not alone, and we hope your time comes too. For the men who support their fellow men no matter what, we celebrate you! For everyone who shares positive messages during men’s health month and pride month, we thank you! 

For older men of all orientations and identities, as well as older people with male sexual organs who may not necessarily identify with the male gender, we want to raise awareness of the importance of your prostate health, particularly when it comes to BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). This is the medical term for prostate enlargement. If you have a prostate gland, over time it may grow and interfere with your urinary and sexual health. As the prostate enlarges, it may push against the bladder and squeeze the urethra into becoming more narrow. The risk of developing BPH may increase due to age, nutrition, hormonal activity, family history, etc. 

If you are getting up many times to go to the bathroom, or you are finding it difficult or slower to urinate, talk to your doctor. 

Men, have you gotten your prostate checked? 

Gay men, have you gotten your prostate checked? 

Bisexual men, have you gotten your prostate checked? 

MTF transgender community, have you gotten your prostate checked? 

Non-binary people with male sexual organs, have you gotten your prostate checked? 

Asexual men, have you gotten your prostate checked? 

Queer men, have you gotten your prostate checked? 

You matter, and your health matters too! BPH education, support groups and solutions are out there so you can live a good quality of life managing your BPH. Sharing information responsibly, talking to your doctors and specialists (family doctor, urologist, gerontologist, pelvic floor specialist, naturopathic doctor, and TCM practitioners) may offer more insight to safe lifestyle adjustments to reduce the negative impact of BPH. This Men’s Health Month and Pride Month, let’s celebrate and encourage progress in better health and inclusive communities! 

June is Men's Health Month and Pride Month!

June is a time to increase support and awareness in Men’s Health Month as well as Pride Month! Men of all ages and orientations, as well as people who have biologically male sexual organs need to ensure that their physical and mental health needs are being met. Did you know that among the transgender community, people who were born biologically male and transitioned to female may need a prostate exam or can still experience prostate enlargement (medically known as BPH)? People who posses male sexual organs such as the prostate, even if they don’t identify with a male gender, are still at risk for developing BPH in older age. BPH may cause frequent urination, slow or poor urinary flow, straining, dribbling and sexual dysfunction. 

This year, although we are facing a global pandemic, the message of men’s health in the month of June can still be shared with you online and with loved ones. 

With Father’s Day also coming up, remember to show the dads in your life that you love them and that their health matters.