Prostate gland surgery can be required to save a life. It is also often performed to lessen the symptoms of prostate enlargement. Regardless of the reason, this surgery can have some side effects that make men wary.

There are two main concerns that can arise from a complete prostatectomy to treat cancer or a transurethral resection to relieve the symptoms of enlargement. The most troublesome side effects of either of these procedures can be incontinence and impotence.

Whilst it is true the incident rate for either side effect appearing is low, the reason for concern is still there. Full removal of the prostate gland during cancer surgery, for example, has about a 2 per cent chance of causing incontinence.  Sexual side effects like permanent impotence are also on the decline in relation to this surgery. Should the surgeon use “nerve sparing” techniques or nerve grafting, the risk of impotence can be greatly minimised. Still, it can take up to three years for erection ability to return.

Men can take steps to lessen the incidence of serious side effects related to prostate gland surgery. They include:

• Taking preventative measures. Although it is not always possible to prevent prostate cancer, enlargement or the need for surgery, there are steps that can help. Men can eat right, exercise and take certain supplements to assist with prevention. Research is supporting the routine use of such diet and supplement ingredients as lycopene , pumpkin seeds  and others for prevention and treatment.
• Early detection of issues. It is imperative for men to report for annual examinations of their prostates. If problems like cancer are caught early enough, they can often be treated without surgical intervention.
• Careful selection of the surgical procedure. Men should carefully weigh their options before agreeing to prostate gland surgery. Although radical procedures are sometimes called for, other options should be explored.

Facing prostate gland surgery is no fun. Should it be necessary, it is imperative to review options to avoid the side effects. Taking a natural approach to prevention can help men lessen their symptoms and even avoid conditions in the first place.

Robotic prostate surgical procedures are becoming popular for treating prostate conditions, but they do not erase the need for a natural, proactive approach toward prevention.

St. Vincent’s has enjoyed a great deal of success with this technique.

In Australia, robotic prostate surgical procedures are performed at facilities like the St. Vincent’s Prostate Cancer Centre. This procedure involves the use of robotic technology to guide instruments during surgery. It can result in a nerve-saving procedure that removes the entire prostate gland, but presents with fewer potential side effects.

One of the better known robotic techniques is called the da Vinci Surgical System. St. Vincent’s has enjoyed a great deal of success with this technique. After hundreds of successful operations, the reported pros for robotic techniques are said to include:

• A reduced hospital stay
• Reduction of blood loss and a reduced risk of infection
• Scarring reduction
• Lower amount of pain, which reduces medication needs
• Improved recovery time

Robotic prostate surgical procedures can make the idea of gland removal a little less daunting, but it does not remove the need to prevent prostate conditions in the first place. Since prostate enlargement can be a major problem for men as they age and prostate cancer is a risk for many, the need for preventative measures is strong.

Whilst it is often believed that men are helpless to prevent prostate conditions, this is just not so. There are a number of steps that can be taken to prevent cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis. Taking supplements that contain zinc , lycopene and saw palmetto can be useful. It is also advised that men eat a low-fat, well-balanced diet and exercise on a regular basis.

There is no denying that robotic prostate surgical procedures are a big improvement. Still, it is best that men take measures to prevent the need to ever need surgery in the first place.

Natural supplements are often recommended for treating benign enlarged prostate conditions. They do have other applications, however. Research has shown that some supplements can relieve the symptoms of prostate cancer and even slow its growth. When prostate cancer stages are examined, it becomes easy to see how natural supplements can help.

Research has shown that some supplements can relieve the symptoms of prostate cancer and even slow its growth.

Prostate cancer stages number at five. The symptoms associated with each can vary. Many of these can be reduced and slowed through the use of natural supplements. The stages are:

• One: A tumour is present at this stage, but its size is so small that symptoms are generally not present. A physical exam will not likely turn up anything at this point either. The prostate specific antigen test, however, might indicate an issue at this state. Supplements that slow cancer growth and prevent enlargement of the prostate can be useful at this point.
• Two: When cancer progresses to this point, it will be detectable by a digital rectal prostate exam. The symptoms at this stage may include minor urinary problems, but they generally will not overwhelm. Natural supplements can assist in treating urinary conditions at this point.
• Three: At this point, cancer has generally spread beyond the prostate gland. The symptoms that may appear include difficulty urinating. This symptom can be improved through the use of substances that shrink prostate cancer cell growth.
• Four: During this phase, tumours may spread to other parts of the body, such as the bladder or bone.
• Five: This stage tends to present with increase symptoms and the further spread of cancer cells throughout the body.

As prostate cancer stages move forward, men are more likely to notice symptoms. These may include such things as impotence, incontinence and even pain.

During all prostate cancer stages, natural supplements have been proven to reduce symptoms and even slow cancer growth. Supplements that have been proven to assist include lycopene , zinc and lutein . Whilst supplements should not be the only treatment for prostate cancer, they can be very useful for reducing the problems associated with this condition.

Being able to recognize the common symptoms associated with the prostate is the best way stop these problems in their tracks. Unfortunately, many men automatically fear the worst and delay their visit to the doctor until it is too late.

While many men fear that prostate problems automatically mean that they have cancer, the truth is that many prostate conditions have similar symptoms. Most prostate problems are easily treatable and are easiest to treat as soon as prostate problem symptoms appear.

The most common prostate symptoms men should watch out for include difficulty urinating, frequent urinating, and painful urination. Blood in the urine can also be an important sign of prostate problems.
Men should keep in mind that these symptoms are common for four different types of prostate problems. These include:

Men are also encouraged to see their doctors regularly after the age of forty in order to check up on their prostate health.

• Cancer. This is, of course, the worst case scenario, but these symptoms can signal prostate cancer. More than 2,700 men die of prostate cancer each year in Australia , even though prostate cancer is usually very treatable.
• Urinary Tract Problems. The same worrying symptoms that can signal cancer can also signal something as easy to treat as a urinary tract problem, which has nothing at all to do with the prostate. These are very easy to treat with a round of antibiotics.
• Infection. A bacterial infection found in the prostate can also prompt the same prostate problem symptoms. Again, a round of antibiotics can help reduce the inflammation that has caused the symptoms and fight off the bacteria.
• Enlarged Prostate. The prostate gland tends to grow as men age; this is considered to be a completely natural condition. However, in some cases it can grow large enough to have a negative impact on prostate health, as well as restrict or block urine flow.

Clearly, the majority of problems that are behind the painful prostate problem symptoms are quite easy to treat. Even if the cause of the symptoms is cancer, the prognosis is always better the earlier it is diagnosed. It is for this reason that men are encouraged to book a doctor’s appointment as soon as symptoms are noticed in order to make an early diagnosis.

Men are also encouraged to see their doctors regularly after the age of forty in order to check up on their prostate health. In many cases, problems can be diagnosed before painful symptoms even appear.

Australians will find there are a variety of prostate medicines that can help them fight back against non-cancerous enlargements of this gland. While the medical community leans on a few specific types of prostate medicine, alternatives to exist, as well.

Three of the main types, alpha-blockers, 5 alpha reductase inhibitors, and anti-cholinergics, are commonly suggested by doctors.

Seeking out help for enlarged prostate problems is sometimes a difficult task for men. Doing so, however, is almost always advised when symptoms interfere with everyday living. Although surgical solutions can sometimes help, most patients find themselves preferring to give prostate medicines a try first. To this end, there are roughly four major types of medicines available to help. Three of the main types, alpha-blockers, 5 alpha reductase inhibitors, and anti-cholinergics, are commonly suggested by doctors.  The fourth alternative involves the use of natural medicines to ease symptoms and even attack the causes of enlargement.

While many prostate medicines can help, sometimes men will find more radical treatments are necessary. The first step, however, often lies in giving one or several forms of prostate medicine a try. The most common forms of medicine and how they work include:

• The Alpha blocker class. This class of medicines, commonly prescribed as terazosin and tamsulosin, will help relax the prostate gland. When this is achieved, uncomfortable symptoms such as blocked urine flow can be relieved.
• 5 alpha reductase inhibitor class. Prostate medicines that fall into this class, such as dutasteride, help shrink the prostate. If medication treatment is successful, the prostate will shrink and reduce impact on nearby organs like the bladder.
• Anti-cholingeric class. Oxybutynin, for example, can ease frequent urination problems and put men back on the path to enjoying life.
• Natural remedies. Herbal supplements like saw palmetto and pygeum are known to relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Clinical studies support the use of natural supplements to prevent and ease prostate issues. Substances like flaxseed  and pumpkin seeds  have proven very useful.

Although invasive procedures are never desired, they are sometimes necessary. Many men, however, are likely to discover that prostate medicines are very effective.