As an introduction and disclaimer I am not a doctor and I have had no medical training. I am just an older man attempting to impart some knowledge and wisdom to other afflicted dudes!
In 1987, as a real estate broker/owner most of my time was spent in the office. With long hours, an exercise program was not high on my priority list. During this time I began to notice that I had to retire to the rest room for an urgent pee four or so times a day. This experience was rather constant for several years. In the meantime, I began investigating the possible cause or causes and any remedy available. As a result, a regimen of high doses of saw palmetto with other nutrients was instituted. After about sixty days on this regimen I noticed a decrease in the frequency of my need to urinate and the number of times I had to get out of bed to do the same-always to be at about 3:30 AM.
This situation was constant for several years. Then during one of my 3:30 AM callings, I could not pee at all! The urgency being great, the pain sort of felt like a kidney stone attack. Fortunately, I walked and exercised this off until the pain subsided and I began to pee with a weak stream. I have always been very healthy and I am a anti-prescriptive drug guy, so I wrote this episode off, but I knew I had to change something.
The something I changed was to relent and visit an urologist. As a result of the PSA test, which resulted in a PSA level of well over four, which is another story, the doctor suggested or rather insisted that I undergo a biopsy in order to determine if prostate cancer was rearing it's ugly head. Well, after the biopsy, which we know is NOT a fun experience, the results came back as benign, or the test gave a "false positive". Needless to say, this left me a little ticked off about having six pieces of my prostate hacked off because of a test that is nowhere 100% accurate.
At this point I did not know what to do. I was not prescribed any drug so I just proceeded with my own regimen. So for the next year I intensely read all material I could find concerning BPE (Benign Prostate Enlargement).
In about 1990, I discovered and tried several products. The most effective was a product known as “Maximum Prostate”(the active ingredient is Beta Sitosterol) distributed by
YoungAgainNutients
. I began taking this product about four months prior to my next annual physical. The digital exam revealed my prostate to be enlarged but not to the point of great concern. However the PSA test again produce a reading of 11. The doctor insisted on another biopsy. Six bites later the results came back benign! That was it! I made up my mind not to have another biopsy.
At this point I increased my daily intake of “Maximum Prostate” and added a Mans' vitamin containing pygeum and various other nutrients for prostate health, 800 mg of vitamin E, at least 30 mg of zinc. Also, severely decreased my intake of alcohol and caffeine. Exercised often. I have maintained this regimen to this date. However, I have added 1 gram three times per day of Omega three fish oil and at bedtime 1.5 mg of melatonin. My prostate has shrunk and I very seldom get up at night Asleep at 10:30 up at 5:30-6:00.
10 things I have learned and experienced:
- Make sure any PSA test also includes the “Free PSA”. The greater the Free PSA the less chance you may have a biopsy - see many reports on the Internet.
- Set up a regimen of Beta Sitosterol - I get mine from Wonder Labs
.
- Include Omega Three fish oil - see many reports on the Internet.
- Include Vitamin E.
- Include the Melatonin 1-3 mg at night - see the Internet.
- Use the Kegel exercises daily plus other exercise.
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Be persistent in staying with any helpful regimen.
- Significantly, reduce or eliminate alcohol and caffeine.
- Subject yourself to a low fat diet.
Note: I learned melatonin is age related. The older we become the less melatonin, which is a hormone, is produced by the pineal gland.
As I stated earlier, I am not a doctor. So you should check with your doctor before taking anything mentioned herein.
I hope this helps to relieve some anxiety and some hope to overcome BPE (BPH).
