THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
(I) Case
Michael, the 46-year-old Wall Street celebrity, decided to take a PSA test when a close friend died of prostate cancer. Surprisingly, his level was abnormal and his disease was found to already be present in the local lymph nodes. It was too widespread to be cured by surgery. He chose to be treated with radiation and hormone therapy, then devoted much of his time and money to research and education about this disease. He began eating a vegetarian, low-fat, high-fiber, soy-based, whole-foods diet. As of seven years after his metastatic diagnosis, he remained in complete remission, with a normal PSA, continuing with an active life and having his progress closely monitored.
(II) Q & A
Q: What seems to be the troubles that bother you?
A: 1. I have difficulty in starting and stopping urination.
2. I have interrupted flow of urine.
3. I am not able to completely empty the bladder.
4. I have a heavy, dragging sensation in my groin, and low back pain too.
5. I feel tenderness in both testicles.
6. I have discharge from penis.
7. I have difficulty in having an erection.
Q: What other symptoms do you have?
A: 1. I have stiffness in the lower back and upper thighs.
2. I have trouble sleeping through the night.
3. I have cramp in my lower abdomen. It comes and goes in waves.
4. I have night sweats, sometimes followed by a chill.
(III) BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)
As a man ages, the prostate may enlarge. This seems to be a natural process and is not really a disease. However, as the gland gets bigger, it may squeeze or partially block the urethra and cause urinary problems, such as:
l Difficulty getting the urine stream and completely stopped (dribbling).
l Frequent urge to urinate, or being awakened by the urge to urinate.
l Decreased force of the urine stream.
l Having the sense that the bladder is not completely empty after urinating.
An enlarged prostate gland is not a serious problem unless urination becomes difficult or backed-up urine causes bladder infections or kidney damage. Some dribbling after urination is very common and not necessarily a sign of prostate problems.
(IV) Prostate Cancer
l Prostate cancer is usually very slow-growing, producing no symptoms in its early stages. In fact, autopsies reveal that up to one-half of all men have this cancer, although most did not have symptoms and were not even diagnosed before their death from other conditions. Although early cancer is readily curable, one third of all patients have cancer that has already spread outside of the prostate at the time of their diagnosis.
l The older you are, the greater your risk for prostate cancer. Eighty percent of these cancers are diagnosed in men older than 65, and 80 percent of all 80-year-old people are found to have some cancerous cells in their prostates.
l The blood tests for prostate specific antigen (PSA) and prostate alkaline phosphatase (PAP) can be used to detect very early cancer spread. They can also be used to judge the success of treatment. However, their use for screening is controversial, as BPH can also elevate the antigens that these tests detect, and there are many false positive.
(V) Trim The Risk
You may be able to prevent prostate cancer in the first place. One way to do this is at the dinner table.
l Trim the fat. Researchers have found that men who skimp on high-fat foods such as eggs, meat and cheese may substantially reduce their risks for prostate cancer. In one study, researchers in Utah
l Add fiber to your diet. Some researchers believe that foods high in dietary fiber—for example, beans, dried fruit and whole-wheat breads – can further lower the prostate cancer risk.
l Stay active. According to a Harvard study, men who stay active all their lives may have only half the risk of prostate cancer compared with those who are inactive.
l Add foods that contain tomato or tomato sauce to your diet.
l Increase your intake of soy products.
(VI) Vocabularies
Inguinal Hernia Vaginitis
Hydrocele Vaginal Yeast Infection
Phimosis Menopause
Testicular Cancer Prolaps of Uterus
Impotence / Erectile Dysfunction Osteoporosis
Bloody Semen Hot Flash
Reduce Libido
Nocturia
Urinary Retention
Endometriosis
Cervical Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Menorrhagia / Heavy Period
Amenorrhagia
(VII) Dialogues
P: Recently, I have difficulty starting urination and holding it back.
D: When did you notice it?
P: It was about three weeks ago. I found I needed to urinate frequently, especially at night.
D: I need to do a rectal examination on you to check your prostate.
P: A rectal examination? What is that?
D: I am going to insert a gloved finger into your rectum. You may feel a little uncomfortable. …. It seems you have an enlarged prostate gland.
P: Is it serious?
D: I don’t know yet. You need to have a urine test and a blood teat.
P: Do I need an immediate medical attention?
D: It is a common problem for a man. If the test results show the symptoms are mild and there are no other complications, I may suggest watchful waiting.
P: Watchful waiting?
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