Prostate Volume

Alteration in Prostate Volume Due to Prostate Conditions

Adult males have a normal prostate volume which ranges from 15 cubic centimeters (0.9 cubic inches) to 30 cubic centimeters (1.8 cubic inches). However, BPH and some other prostate conditions can significantly increase this prostate size. Ordinarily, the prostate volume in adult males increases with age. The prostate usually begins to experience an increase in volume as men hit the age of 40, although some men about 30 years of age can experience symptoms of prostate enlargement. More than half (50%) of men up to age 60 experience increase in prostate volume. The situation becomes even more critical as men reach age 80 with the possibility of about 90% of men within this age range having prostate enlargement.

 Prostate Volume

Prostate Enlargement and PSA

Cells of the prostate gland release protein known as Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) into the bloodstream. This protein can circulate in the bloodstream in two ways:  on its own (free or unbound) or bound to other proteins. PSA tests are usually conducted to measure the quantity of this antigen in the blood. While free-PSA test measures the quantity of unbound PSA and bound-PSA test measures the quantity of bound PSA, total PSA test in general measures the sum total of both free and bound PSA in the blood.

PSA May Indicate Increase in Prostate Volume

Basically, an increase in the quantity of PSA in the blood can be caused by four factors namely: prostatitis, enlarged prostate, aging, and prostate cancer. In fact, up to 75% of elevated blood PSA is caused by the aforementioned first three conditions. Furthermore, several studies have indicated that it is possible to determine the increase in prostate volume entirely by PSA test. Urologists find out that men with a total PSA test level between 4 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml and free PSA above 25% are likely to have BPH.

Why You Should Know Your Prostate Volume

Sadly, most men do not know their prostate volume or size.  This is usually the case because most patients do not see the need to know the exact statistics and description of their prostate but there are several reasons why you should know your prostate size.

Firstly, some treatment methods are simply inadequate for large prostate sizes. For instance, surrounding tissues such as the rectum or bladder may be damaged on treating patients with very large prostate size with cryotherapy and radiation. The aforementioned treatment methods should not be used for treating prostate volume larger than 60 cubic centimeters.

Your prostate size would also determine how much PSA test or screening you need. For instance, patients with prostate size about 80 cubic centimeters would require twice the PSA test of a patient with 40 cubic centimeters. Thus, age-specific PSA may not really give a very accurate result because men of similar age can have very different prostate sizes.

Reducing the Prostate Volume

As pointed out above, treatment methods such as radiation and cryotherapy can be used in treating prostate enlargement, but antibiotics are equally used. Antibiotics are the usual treatment method often recommended by urologists. However, radiation and chemical based treatment methods have been known for decades to have several side effects. They may be able to treat the condition when applied but the resultant side effects are usually overbearing.

Natural treatment methods are, of course, the best way to go if you want to avoid unwarranted side effects. Basically, prostate food supplements and prostate massage therapy are two of the effective natural treatments that can help treat an enlarged prostate condition. Both treatment methods have been used for years, even before the use of antibiotics, to reduce prostatitis pain and prostate volume.

One of the most recognized prostate food supplements is saw palmetto. This natural remedy is often used in countering the increase in prostate volume and reducing BPH symptoms. This supplement works by shrinking the inner lining of the prostate and exerting pressure on urinary tubules. This then results in a reduction of BPH symptoms. Besides saw palmetto, several other prostate food supplements can be used in treating BPH.

Prostate massage therapy is also a recognized way of treating prostate enlargement and related conditions. Prostate massage could be done with a lubricated or gloved finger or with a massager. It can be done on the outside of the body or by inserting the device into the anus to reach out to the prostate. In general, prostate massage is a very effective technique that works much like the digital rectal exam (DRE) to milk the prostate. It has been shown to reduce prostate conditions such as BPH and prostatitis in a number of patients.

Prostate massagers work better than a lubricated or gloved finger in reducing prostate size but the massager used matters a lot. With massagers customized specifically for prostate massage such as Sonic Massagers, you can achieve a better result. Such massagers release sonic waves which stimulate the muscles, ensure better blood flow around the prostate, relax the prostate and reduce inflammation.

Preventing the Increase in Prostate Volume

Of course, an enlarged prostate volume can be reduced with the aforementioned targeted treatment methods and even more. However, it is often better to prevent the mayhem from occurring in the first place. The prostate health should be taken care of early enough to prevent and reduce the chances of prostate related diseases from occurring.

Interestingly, your lifestyle can determine the health of your prostate. It is recommended that men eat healthy prostate diet such as pumpkin, berries, nuts, green tea, watermelon, vegetables etc and reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods such as red meat, processed meat, and so forth. The prostate should be exercised. One of the functions of prostate massagers is to vigorously exercise the prostate but you can keep the prostate healthy early enough through regular exercises. Men should have a quality sex life; celibate lifestyle may be morally right but it is not healthy for the prostate. Finally, make sure you visit your doctor often to know the health status of your prostate and deal with any prostate-related condition early enough.

 

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