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What are Caffeine's Effects on the Prostate?

Aug 22, 2011 | By Beth Greenwood
What are Caffeine's Effects on the Prostate?
Photo Credit Siri Stafford/Lifesize/Getty Images

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. About the size of a walnut, the prostate produces part of the seminal fluid. Muscular contractions of the prostate help to move the fluid and semen through the penis during male orgasm and ejaculation. Although caffeine does not affect the prostate directly, it can create problems with some prostate conditions.

Caffeine Sources and Effects

Caffeine is a stimulant and may be used to increase mental alertness or fight fatigue. The drug may also improve critical thinking and performance of precise tasks, according to Johns Hopkins University. Although coffee may be the first thing you think of in relation to caffeine, tea, cola and other caffeinated soft drinks, sleep prevention medicines and over-the-counter pain relievers may also contain caffeine.

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

Benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH, is a condition that affects men as they grow older. According to MedLine Plus, over half of all men will eventually develop BPH. The prostate gland gradually enlarges and can put pressure on the urethra, the tube that leads from the bladder to the tip of the penis. A man with BPH will notice a decreased urinary stream, a feeling of fullness even after urinating, dribbling of urine and a need to urinate more frequently, especially at night.

Caffeine and BPH

Caffeine can make the symptoms of BPH worse. A bladder stimulant, caffeine increases the rate at which the bladder fills because it increases urine production. Caffeine also makes you feel as though your bladder is full and needs to be emptied. Caffeine belongs to a family of drugs called theoxanthines, which irritate the bladder. Theobromine and theophylline are two other compounds in this family that are found in chocolate and tea, respectively, and they have similar bladder stimulant and irritant effects.

Caffeine and Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the leading cause of death for men over the age of 75. WebBPH.org, a website for physicians about BPH, reports that although there is controversy, caffeine and caffeinated coffee do not appear have an effect on prostate cancer; previous studies that linked caffeinated coffee and prostate cancer had severe limitations. A study reported in the November 1993 "Cancer Causes and Control" noted that caffeine had no association with prostate cancer risk.

Caffeine and Prostatitis

Prostatitis is an inflammation or infection of the prostate. The most common symptoms are painful or more frequent urination, including getting up more often at night. Chronic low back pain, pain in the groin or lower abdomen, lethargy and blood in the urine can also be symptoms of prostatitis. Antibiotics may be necessary to treat prostatitis if it is caused by an infection, but whatever the cause, Werner-Francis Urology associates says prostatic irritants such as caffeine are not recommended during treatment.

Further Considerations

For most men, occasional caffeine intake is not a problem, but if you have BPH or prostatitis, you should consider cutting out caffeine. If you have questions or concerns about your prostate health and caffeine, consult a health-care professional.

References

Article reviewed by J. Betherman Last updated on: Aug 22, 2011

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