Prostate Conditions in Men

Feel Like Yourself Again

Our inclusive plans provide:

Comprehensive lab testing every 6 months
Oversight from your Renew Youth doctor
Medications & supplies shipped to your home
Health Consultation team dedicated to your success

Starting from $249

Schedule a Free Virtual Consultation

Understanding Prostate Conditions in Men

Second only to heart disease, the prostate is the greatest source of health complications in men as they age.

Causes of Prostate Conditions

Prostate conditions take three primary forms:

Enlarged prostate (also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH).
Prostatitis, which is essentially an infected prostate.
Prostate cancer.

Enlarged Prostate

80% of men will experience some enlargement of the prostate as they age. The most common symptom is frequent urination, which can be annoying at night.

Prostatitis

Prostatitis usually starts with a simple bacterial infection. The challenge with prostatitis is that the prostate is wrapped in a cellular sheath that can make treatment with antibiotics challenging. There is also a non-bacterial form of prostatitis, which tends to be chronic.

Prostate Cancer

Most prostate cancers grow slowly, and can go undetected for long periods of time. There are, however, less common types of prostate cancer that are more aggressive. Current studies show that somewhere between 7 and 9 out of every 10 men will have prostate cancer by age 80, but that prostate cancer will not be the cause of death in most of these men.

Whether or not a man will develop prostate cancer is driven by 3 primary factors:

Heredity
Lifestyle (especially diet and stress)
Excess estrogen

Facts

Testosterone does not cause prostate cancer. Studies have shown that healthy levels of testosterone actually help prevent prostate cancer.
Excess estrogen increases prostate cancer risk. This is why our doctors always manage estrogen levels.
Some of the testosterone in a man’s body converts to a stronger form of testosterone known as DHT. Excess DHT, particularly when mixed with estrogen, can contribute to BPH. But DHT is important for a number of other reasons—in particular it’s the hormone that fuels a man’s sex drive.
In treating BPH, some doctors will use drugs that restrict the conversion of testosterone to DHT. The problem with these medications is that men wind up having to choose between relieving their symptoms of BPH and their need for a sex drive. What we find particularly alarming is that some men lose their sex drive permanently as a consequence of using these medications. This is why our doctors will not prescribe them.

Testosterone and Estrogen

The balance between testosterone and estrogen is critical. Healthy men have a lot of testosterone and just a little estrogen. That small amount of estrogen is important for heart and bone health, but too much can increase prostate cancer risk. How does a man wind up with too much estrogen? As men get older, particularly if they carry belly fat, testosterone gets broken down into estrogen faster than it should.

Estrogen Metabolization

One of the estrogen hormones produced in the body is called estrone. When estrone is metabolized, it can take one of two “safe” pathways: 1) it can be converted to 2-alpha-hydroxylestrone and safely pass from the body, or 2) it can convert to 16-alpha-hydroxyl and pass safely from the body.

When estrogen is the cause of prostate cancer, it can be because 16-alpha-hydroxyl has metabolized to something called 4-alpha-hydroxyl, which is a carcinogen.

The control of estrogen, and supporting metabolization of estrone along the 2-alpha-hydroxyl pathway, are critically important in the prevention of prostate cancer.

Preventing Prostate Conditions

When it comes to prostate conditions, the name of the game is prevention. The best way to prevent prostate conditions in general, and prostate cancer in particular, is by restoring hormones to healthy levels, and by practicing good lifestyle habits.

We take prostate health very seriously, which is why we do the following:

We encourage our clients to achieve good lifestyle habits. This alone will go a long way toward preventing and alleviating prostate conditions.
If necessary, our doctors control the conversion of testosterone to estrogen by way of an estrogen blocker.
We encourage our clients to take supplements that have been shown to reduce prostate cancer risk by supporting the metabolization of estrogen along the 2-alpha-hydroxyl pathway.

Prostate health is just one more piece of the better aging puzzle. If your prostate hasn’t given you trouble to this point, let’s keep it that way. If you’ve already had some issues, we’ll talk about solutions. Let’s be proactive together.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have done a lot of reading about hormone therapy, but does it work?: Yes—if it’s done correctly, and under the supervision of an experienced doctor.

Hormone therapy is not a fanciful search for the fountain of youth. It is medical science at its best. It is trained doctors using sophisticated lab tests and treatment protocols developed and used over many years to produce life-altering results.
When should I think about replacing hormones?: Historically, our answer to the “when should I start” question has been to begin once you have symptoms, regardless of age.

However, the idea that we can manage the aging process is gaining momentum. An outgrowth of that is that we have an increasing number of clients who contact us initially because they wish to take control of the aging process early, long before symptoms have emerged.

Whether you want to head off the aging process early, or you’re just beginning to experience symptoms, or your symptoms are severe and you’ve had them for a long time, we can design a treatment program to address your unique needs.
What does Bioidentical mean?: Bioidentical means that molecularly the hormone that you’re replacing is exactly the same as what your body produces naturally. The molecules of synthetic hormones are slightly different.

There are hormone receptors all over your body. Think of these receptors like they’re locks, and hormone molecules like they’re keys. The synthetic molecules don’t fit into those locks quite right, which means they don’t work the same way in your body—often with detrimental consequences. You may be wondering…why do pharmaceutical companies make synthetic hormones with molecules that are slightly different? Because it’s the only way they can patent them. Bioidentical hormones can’t be patented.
Do I have to treat all hormones?: Hormones can be treated separately or in combination. However, we do emphasize that hormone therapy is about having balanced hormones—better results are obtained by taking the proper amount of a combination of hormones, depending upon what your lab results show, and depending upon your symptoms. All of your hormones will function better if they’re all present at healthy levels.
How are hormones replaced?: The short answer is that it depends. For some hormones, there are one or two optimal and safe methods of delivery. In other instances, client preference may come into play. You will be informed as to what the pros and cons are of any particular method of delivery, so that you and our doctors can decide what makes the most sense for you. Regardless, our doctors will not allow you to do something that isn’t safe.
How much of any given hormone will I take?: Your Renew Youth doctor will prescribe the amount needed to optimize your levels. Our doctors use a combination of lab testing and feedback from you with regard to how you’re feeling to dial in just the right dosages.
Is hormone therapy safe?: Yes. There are countless studies that have shown not only the safety of hormone therapy, but also the long-term health benefits. This assumes that treatment is done properly, and monitored on a regular basis. Again, the only way we do things is safely, and correctly.
Are there any side effects associated with your therapies?: When hormones and other treatments are administered correctly—and correctly is the only way we do things—there should be no side effects.
How long must I commit to hormone therapy?: Your commitment to hormone therapy should last as long as you want the results. If this thought is daunting, consider that men and women of previous generations had the same age-related challenges that we face today. They could not, however, do anything about it. When you consider the improved quality of life that hormone therapy affords, not to mention a longer life, making the commitment becomes easier.
Where and how do I get my lab testing done?: Renew Youth has national accounts with two of the largest lab companies in the country. We will arrange your testing at a location that is convenient for you.
Where will I see my Renew Youth doctor?: Renew Youth has doctors located across the country, and we will determine which one is closest to you.
Are diet and exercise important?: Yes! Establishing and maintaining good lifestyle habits is critical to achieving optimal results from your treatment. This means eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise, managing stress, getting adequate sleep, and drinking lots of water.
Will injectable nutrients be a part of my program?: That’s largely up to you. Many of our clients augment their better aging efforts with injectable nutrients. Our doctors will discuss your goals with you, and will review the various options available to you.