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!