As men age, many begin to experience varying urinary problems including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome and urinary incontinence. Each of these urinary problems possesses a connection to your hormones.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH for short is the enlargement of the prostate which can make urination difficult. The swelling of the prostate squeezes the urethra, obstructing the flow of urine. While BPH is common especially in men over the age of 60, it does not always cause blockages. For those with benign prostatic hyperplasia, other urinary problems in men like frequent urination are common.
The growth of the prostate gland is regulated by hormones including testosterone, estrogen, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is a derivative of testosterone. As men age, testosterone levels often decrease due to andropause. Estrogen levels in men during this time have a bigger effect because there is less testosterone to balance the hormone out and many times, estrogen even increases as men age. Men produce estrogen by converting testosterone to estrogen using an enzyme called aromatase. Aromatase commonly increases in men over time, resulting in the increased estrogen levels and decreased testosterone. Severe BPH can lead to kidney stones. Balanced levels of estrogen, testosterone and DHT can effectively reduce or eliminate benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome
Interstitial Cystitis (IC) or Painful Bladder Syndrome is a disorder in which the wall of the bladder becomes irritated and inflamed leading to a variety of problems including thickening and scarring of the bladder, diminished bladder capacity (resulting in frequent urination), bleeding and in severe cases, ulcers in the bladder lining. While the cause of interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome in men is not completely understood, there are studies which indicate a link between low testosterone and the IC. In many studies, men with IC were found to possess diminished testosterone levels and when treated with testosterone replacement, some men experienced relief from the condition.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Incontinence in men is the unintentional passage of urine, a loss of bladder control. There are many different types of urinary incontinence and as such, there are many different causes. Studies show that men who were treated with testosterone replacement therapy experienced an increase in bladder capacity and compliance.
The Solution: Treatment of Urinary Problems in Men
Urinary problems common in aging men including benign prostatic hyperplasia, interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome and urinary incontinence may be contributed to by imbalanced hormones that occur with andropause. Getting your hormones tested and balancing any abnormal hormone levels will likely grant you relief from andropause symptoms including any urinary problems caused by imbalanced hormones.
Contact the BodyLogicMD affiliated bioidentical hormone doctor nearest you to schedule an appointment and learn more about how bioidentical hormone therapy providing relief from urinary problems such as painful bladder syndrome and urinary incontinence.
