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!