Prostate Health After 40: The Things Men Often Don't Talk About

Let's be honest — most of us don't give the prostate a second thought until something starts feeling off.

Maybe you're up at 2 a.m. again. Maybe the stream isn't as strong as it used to be, or it takes a few seconds to get going and you wonder when that became normal. Easy to write it off as “just getting older.” Sometimes it is. Sometimes it's worth paying a bit more attention.

The prostate changes as we age, and knowing what those changes can mean is a lot better than simply ignoring them.

So, what does the prostate actually do?

It's a small gland sitting right under the bladder, wrapped around the tube that carries urine out (the urethra). One of its jobs is making some of the fluid in semen.

As men age, the prostate often gets larger. Doctors call that benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. The “benign” part matters — it's not cancer. But the extra tissue can start squeezing the urethra and mess with how urine flows.

You might notice changes before you think of them as a problem

There's no single classic symptom. Some guys notice they're peeing more often during the day. Others are the ones getting up two or three times a night.

Common complaints include:

• Going more frequently
• Nighttime trips
• Weaker or slower stream
• Trouble getting the flow started
• Sudden urgency
• Feeling like the bladder didn't empty all the way
• A bit of dribbling after you think you're done

None of those automatically means you have an enlarged prostate. Plenty of other things — infections, bladder issues, prostatitis, even certain meds — can look similar. So diagnosing yourself from a website isn't smart. But if the change has stuck around, it's worth finding out what's going on.

Why it seems to get worse with age

BPH simply becomes more common the older you get. Growth rates vary a lot from man to man. Some guys have a bigger prostate and barely notice; others feel every little change.

The nighttime thing is particularly annoying. One occasional wake-up is whatever. Two, three, or four times every single night leaves you dragging the next day.

It's not always the prostate

This is worth repeating. Don't assume the prostate is the only possible culprit.

Urinary symptoms can have a number of different causes. Prostatitis, bladder problems, infections and other conditions can produce symptoms that may look similar to those associated with BPH. And prostate cancer is a separate issue again.

In fact, early prostate cancer often doesn't cause noticeable symptoms, which is one reason why conversations about screening and risk factors with a doctor can still make sense even if you're feeling okay.

A few everyday things are worth looking at

There's no magic diet that guarantees you'll never have prostate problems. And anyone promising one miracle food, drink or supplement that will solve everything should probably be treated with a healthy dose of skepticism.

That said, some everyday habits can make urinary symptoms more noticeable.

What are you drinking?

If you're drinking large amounts of fluid late in the evening, it's not particularly surprising if you're waking up during the night.

Caffeine can also affect some people's urinary symptoms. You don't necessarily have to give up your morning coffee forever. But if you're drinking several cups throughout the day and constantly running to the bathroom, it might be worth paying attention to whether there's a connection.

Alcohol can also increase urine production, so some men notice that their nighttime trips become more frequent after drinking.

Don't go overboard with restricting fluids

Trying to avoid bathroom trips by barely drinking anything isn't a good solution either. Your body needs water, especially if you're exercising or spending time in a hot climate.

The goal isn't to drink as little as possible. It's to pay attention to what seems to affect you personally.

What about supplements?

This is where things can get a little confusing.

Walk through the men's health section of a store or search online and you'll find plenty of products marketed for prostate health. Some contain herbs, vitamins, minerals or combinations of different ingredients.

The problem is that supplements aren't all the same, and "natural" doesn't automatically mean "effective."

A supplement also shouldn't be used as a substitute for seeing a doctor when you're experiencing significant or persistent symptoms.

But if you're generally interested in men's health and want to learn about some of the nutritional products available for prostate support, you can certainly research what's out there.

When should you actually see a doctor?

This is the part I'd take seriously.

If you're noticing changes that persist, especially if they're getting worse, it's worth talking to a healthcare professional. And don't put off getting checked because you're embarrassed to talk about it. Doctors hear about urinary and prostate problems all the time.

You should seek medical attention if you experience things such as:

• Blood in your urine
• Significant pain
• Fever or chills
• Problems emptying your bladder
• Persistent or worsening urinary symptoms

If you're completely unable to urinate, that's something that requires urgent medical attention.

There's also nothing wrong with asking your doctor questions about prostate health even if you don't currently have major symptoms.

The main thing to remember

Nobody wants to spend their life worrying about their prostate. But there's also no prize for ignoring changes and hoping they'll disappear.

If you're waking up several times every night, making constant trips to the bathroom or noticing that your urine stream has changed, don't automatically assume it's just something you have to live with.

Find out what's causing it. Look at your everyday habits. Talk to a healthcare professional when appropriate. And if you're interested in learning about nutritional products marketed for prostate support, take the time to research the ingredients and the product before making a decision.