Revere Health Blog

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the enlargement of the prostate gland. Common in older men, BPH can lead to health complications when left untreated. What is BPH? The prostate—an important male reproductive gland located under the bladder—goes through two growth phases: the first during puberty and the second around age 25. Growth typically continues in this second phase throughout the rest of adulthood. BPH is a condition in which the prostate gland enlarges enough to cause urinary problems, such as frequent urination or the inability to completely empty the bladder. Can I prevent BPH? Two common risk factors of BPH include age and family history, both of which are uncontrollable risk factors. However, there are some risk factors you can control or manage, including: Lack of physical activity Obesity Heart and circulatory diseases Type 2 diabetes Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing BPH and several other conditions (including those ...

The bladder is a hollow organ that stores urine. Once the bladder expands to full capacity, it sends a message to the brain through the pelvic nerves that it’s time to urinate. This message produces the urge to use the restroom. When the brain confuses these messages, a condition called interstitial cystitis, or painful bladder syndrome, can develop. This is a chronic condition that can cause severe pain and have a major effect on long-term quality of life. Symptoms and Complications Symptoms of interstitial cystitis vary between cases and aren’t always the same over time—they often flare up, sometimes in response to triggers (e.g., stress, exercise, sexual activity or menstruation). Symptoms can include: Pain:  Women may feel pain in the pelvis between the vagina and anus, and men may feel pain between the scrotum and the anus. Urges:  You’ll notice a frequent need to urinate, even when you’ve done so recently Pain during sex  (for women), or during orgasm or after sex (...

All men have a gland in their reproductive system called the prostate. The prostate is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum, and its responsibility is to create semen—the fluid that contains sperm. If the prostate swells or becomes inflamed, however, a condition known as prostatitis can develop. This can cause painful urination or trouble urinating, and several other pain- or discomfort-related symptoms. It has several different causes and can be either temporary or recurring. Here’s what you need to know. Symptoms and Complications   Symptoms vary depending on the cause, and they can include: Dysuria: Pain or burning sensation during urination Nocturia: Frequent urination, particularly during the night Bloody or cloudy urine Trouble urinating Feelings of an urgent need to urinate Pain: Could be present in the abdomen, groin, lower back, perineum (area between scrotum and rectum), penis, testicles, or during ejaculation Flu-like symptoms: These are only present in b...