Is Your Prostate Running Your Schedule?
Dr. Owen Wiseman, ND
Medical Advisor / Conseiller Médical
There comes a point in many men's lives when a simple trip to the bathroom becomes... less simple. Maybe you've started planning road trips around rest stops. Maybe you've become intimately familiar with every public washroom in Victoria. Perhaps your nightly routine now includes three separate bathroom visits before finally falling asleep.
If any of this sounds familiar, you're far from the only one.
One of the most common reasons men experience these changes is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), better known as an enlarged prostate. In fact, there's an old rule of thumb that after age 50, a man's likelihood of having BPH roughly matches his age. By age 60, about 60% of men are affected. By age 75, that number climbs to roughly 75%.1,2
The challenge is that symptoms often creep up gradually.
It starts with getting up once during the night. Then twice. Before long, you're spending more time navigating dark hallways than getting a full night's sleep. Some men notice a weaker stream, dribbling, difficulty getting started, or that frustrating sensation that the bladder didn't quite get the memo that the job was finished.
Many guys simply shrug and say, "Well, I guess this is what getting older feels like."
Fortunately, it doesn't have to be!
The prostate is a small gland that sits just below the bladder. As men age, it can enlarge under the influence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more active form of testosterone. As the gland grows, it can place pressure on the urethra, leading to many of the urinary issues men commonly experience.
What often surprises men is that prostate health doesn't just affect the bathroom. It can also affect the bedroom.
Research shows that men with BPH are significantly more likely to experience erectile difficulties, reduced libido, and changes in ejaculation.3 It's one reason many men who seek support for urinary symptoms are also hoping to improve their overall quality of life.
Conventional medications can be effective, but some men are hesitant because certain treatments may contribute to sexual side effects.4 As a result, many are interested in natural approaches that support both urinary and sexual health.
One of the most studied natural options is saw palmetto, a small palm native to the southeastern United States. Its berries have been used for decades to support healthy prostate function.
In a clinical study involving 82 men with enlarged prostate symptoms and sexual dysfunction, participants took a clinically studied saw palmetto extract found in Prostate1.5 After approximately eight weeks, researchers observed a 51% improvement in overall prostate symptoms. Nighttime urination improved by 73%, and residual urine decreased by 52%, helping men feel that their bladder was emptying more completely.
The results didn't stop there. Participants also reported a 64% improvement in their ability to achieve and maintain an erection, along with meaningful improvements in libido and sexual satisfaction. Not surprisingly, most participants said they would choose the herbal option again.
Beyond supplementation, simple lifestyle habits can make a difference. Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting excessive alcohol consumption, eating a fibre-rich diet, and managing stress all support healthy aging and prostate function.
Waking up three times a night isn't a badge of honour. Neither is memorizing the location of every washroom in town. So if your prostate has quietly started taking control of your daily routine, it may be time to listen.
References:
1. Parsons, J. Kellogg. "Benign prostatic hyperplasia and male lower urinary tract symptoms: epidemiology and risk factors." Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports 5.4 (2010): 212-218.
2. Ng, Michael, Stephen W. Leslie, and Krishna M. Baradhi. "Benign prostatic hyperplasia." StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing, 2024.
3. Rosen, Raymond, et al. "Lower urinary tract symptoms and male sexual dysfunction: the multinational survey of the aging male (MSAM-7)." European Urology 44.6 (2003): 637-649.
4. Gacci, Mauro, et al. "Impact of medical treatments for male lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia on ejaculatory function: a systematic review and meta‐analysis." The Journal of Sexual Medicine 11.6 (2014): 1554-1566.
5. Suter, Andreas, et al. "Improving BPH symptoms and sexual dysfunctions with a saw palmetto preparation? Results from a pilot trial." Phytotherapy Research 27.2 (2013): 218-226.
