Prostate problems too often put a damper on the activities of men of all ages and they are far more common than previously thought. According to numerous studies, more than half of all men over 50 years of age suffer from an enlarged prostate and its symptoms. As men age, up to 80% will suffer from uncomfortable symptoms that may include difficulty urinating, increased frequency and urgency of urination, bouts with sleep-disturbing nighttime urination and painful lower backache. Prostate difficulties are costly, too. Every year about 400,000 men have prostate surgery; adding over $3 billion annually to our national health care bill. Most men know more about a women's monthly cycle than they do about their own body and its sexual health, yet problems with prostate gland are as common in men as period problems in women. Prostate function A small donut-shaped gland, the prostate surrounds the urethra where it leaves the bladder. The prostate produces an alkaline substance which makes up the largest part of the seminal reproductive fluid. From around the age of 45, the number of cells in the prostate gland starts to enlarge in most men. This non-cancerous process known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH for short. In some men, the prostate gland grows large without causing problems with passing water. This may be because their urethra is wider than average, or because the gland tends to enlarge outward. In many, however, enlargement of the prostate gland squeezes the urethra to interfere with urinary flow. This, in turn, can lead to urological symptoms such as difficulty when starting to urinate and dribbling after urinating. In addition, the bladder may feel full even after urinating. While aging contributes to an enlarged prostate gland, hormones may play a role. Once in the prostate cells, testosterone is converted into another, more powerful male hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is responsible for triggering the division of prostate cells so their numbers increase. Levels of DHT are known to be 5 times higher in enlarged prostate glands than in those of normal size. If the conversion of testosterone to DHT is prevented, BPH does not occur and can even be reversed once it has developed. (If you suffer significant prostate problems, consult your health practitioner. Prostate-Friendly Herbs For prostate benefits, many men combine Saw Palmetto with Pygeum Africanum, an herb containing beta-sitosterol and other plant estrogens. Plant substances from the botanical red clover, called isoflavones, may also aid in maintaining a happy prostate and proper urinary function. Research has found that isolavones, also known as plant hormones, boost prostate health by inhibiting the enzymes that lead a prostate to grow bigger. (Researchers believe that the low incidence of prostate health problems in Asia is due to the fact that Asian men consume many more isoflavone-rich legumes than in US citizens). Soy also represents prostate hope. Recently genistein was found to decrease the growth of both BPH and prostate cancer cells in the laboratory, which the researchers suggested showed that the genistein found in soy has the potential to be used as a treatment for both. Lycopene, an antioxidant in tomatoes, may also help lower risk of prostate cancer. In an analysis of 72 studies, most evidence showed that men who consumed more lycopene suffered less prostate cancer (Natl Cancer Inst 91 (4):317-31,1999). Research showing lycopene's benefits was presented to health care professionals at the Prostate Cancer Prevention 2000 symposium in Toronto. "Our finding suggest that lycopene may not only help prevent prostate cancer but also may be useful in treating prostate cancer," commented Omer Kucuk, MD, a faculty member at the Barabara Ann Kamanos Cancer Institution in Detroit, Michigan. Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting elderly men in developed countries and a major cause of death. Regular rectal exams are recommended for older men to detect prostate cancer early. Research has shown that regular ("more than five times per week"[2]) masturbation can cut the risk of prostate cancer by up to 66%. This is because regular ejaculation reduces the buildup of carcinogenic deposits in sperm which can damage the cells lining the prostate. Male Sexual Response During orgasm sperm are transmitted from the ductus deferens into the male urethra via the ejaculatory ducts, which lie within the prostate gland. The prostate is often referred to as the male g-spot. Some men are able to achieve orgasm solely through stimulation of the prostate gland. Men who report the sensation of prostate stimulation often give descriptions similar to women's accounts of G-spot stimulation. When combined with penile stimulation, some men report that prostate stimulation increases the volume of their ejaculation.