Nestled beneath the bladder, the double lobed prostate gland is often ignored until changes in physiology force it into the male consciousness. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, is an enlargement of the prostate gland. As part of the male reproductive system, the prostate gland is subject to exposure to different sex hormones, leading to speculation about the effect of hormones on the prostate. The Adrenal gland secretes the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, which is the forerunner of both male and female sex hormones. Its role as precursor to hormones encountered by the prostate gland make DHEA of interest when investigating prostate health.
BPH Development
Prostate growth is a natural part of the male development. Doubling in size at puberty, the prostate then stops growing, but restarts at age 25. The male's maturing age is accompanied by this continuous growth of the prostate gland, which often results in BPH in later years. Over 50 percent of men past age 60 are said to have problems indicating BPH, and that number rises to over 90 percent beyond age 70.
BPH Symptoms
The prostate gland is located in close proximity to the urethra, through which urine passes. As the prostate enlarges, the pressure it exerts on the urethra slows down and sometimes stops the flow of urine. In response, the walls of the bladder become irritated and eventually the bladder may be compromised. Symptoms of BPH include frequent urination, particularly during the night, interrupted urine, weak stream, and leaking. In severe cases, urinary tract infections and damage to bladder or kidneys may occur.
DHEA
DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is a steroid made by the body. It serves as the starting point for the production of sex hormones like testosterone. The amount of DHEA in the body begins to drop after age 30. It is available as a supplement, but the Mayo Clinic cautions that it may cause an increase in other hormones in the body, and, theoretically, an increased risk of hormone sensitive cancers such as prostate, breast and ovarian cancers.
DHEA and BPH
Studies have centered around the role of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, or DHT on the prostate cell proliferation, or growth. A 2006 study reported in the American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism, indicated that DHT and testosterone promote prostate growth, but that DHEA itself had no direct effect.
Considerations
Although some studies have not found DHEA culpable in stimulating prostate cell proliferation, it remains the jump off point for production of sex hormones that do promote the growth of prostate cells. As such, you may want to consult your doctor if you have concerns about BPH and an interest in DHEA supplements.
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