For our gentlemanly half of the Well Past Forty community, this month’s special blog post is fit for our shoes and pelvic floors. Unlike MOVEMBERs of years past, I skipped my growth of a feather duster. I donned a faux ‘stache instead…
Why I skipped whisker growth for MOVEMBER 2025 is a storied concession to my better half.
Why am I passionate about MOVEMBER Foundation efforts , you ask…
Tis sad yet true that American males have much higher instances of suicides than do our female countrymates, specifically 60% higher. This sad statistic is a contributor to male longevity shortcomings of 4.9 years – compared to women in our country. However, the summary sadness of male wellbeing in our country is bothersome for other reasons. And this concern is obviously for all 12 months each year – not just for Novembers.
Let me offer a phrase that the legendary public servant John Hay offered about our universe and its “cosmic tendency” to not give a damn about our problems. The cosmos doesn’t owe us good fortune or freedom from dis-ease, does it? So… guys, let’s give a damn about our problematic nuts and bolts.
Think about these big Five factors for our better health from MOVEMBER’s website…
“1. Spend time with people who make you feel good.
2. Talk more.
3. Know the numbers.
4. Know thy nuts. Simple.
5. Move, more.”
ADAM, BPH and PROSTATE
Next, I share science-backed and my experiential knowledge about:
- Manopause (ADAM for Androgen Deficiency (Andropause) in Aging Males)
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) that affects 3/4ths of men over age 70.
- Prostate Diseases. Yes, this accurate aphorism:
“Men are more likely to die with prostate cancer than to die from it”
As mentioned, Science Direct posted that 21% of all male deaths were accompanied by some level of prostate cancer.
African American males have the highest percentage of prostate problems in America (by ethnicity… Asian males have the lowest). American life and death aren’t fair – don’t you agree?
With clear intent of inspiring or cajoling my fellow hombres to action, I share practical and prudent alternatives to the “guy” things of denial or deferral of a trip to a primary care physician or urologist.
Before we consider those three (3) “Male plumbing” diseases and conditions, let’s review the importance of exercising manly muscles in our pelvic regions. Gents – if you haven’t performed KEGEL exercises with proper technique since LaMaze birth classes – it is time to resurrect them! Think of why in this Mayo Clinic online post:
- Improved bladder control
- Possibly improve sexual performance
- Limit urge and fecal incontinence.
- Improved sleep quality and duration without waking.
Need I share more? A gent’s Quality of Life (QoL) suffers when sleep and sex diminish from age, poor muscle tone, or prostate surgery.
Men should train their Pelvic Floors, too!
Citation: My April 2025 Blog post
Back to Hardware in the Men’s Store
In our country, there are fairly eye-opening statistics about this “guy” problem.
There is a defensible one-word reason why we guys possess a [normally] doughnut-shaped, walnut-sized organ that encircles our urethras. Climax.
Credit: WordPress
Do other large mammals get prostate cancer? Hmmm. Only man’s best friends (dogs) develop BPH and prostate cancer like we do.
As with many malignant cancers, early detection of prostate cancer is a key factor for treatment and cures …In 2022, the Center for Disease Control reported that prostate cancer was and likely still is the most prevalent type of cancer for American males.
I don’t know any guys who enjoy digital rectal exams (DREs) , like the one that Danny DeVito is preparing for in this image…
Credit: Tenor
As a coach, I say “ man up” and endure the episodic discomfort of DREs. Diagnostics are not always pleasant…
Benignness and Neglect
Duh ..No one disputesthat non-cancerous (benign) conditions are superior to malignant states.
Yet, an inflated benign prostate gland can make a guy’s quality of life inferior.
Ready for a bit of good news?
- We can spell r-e-l-i-e-f for this prevalent condition for aging males.
Location, location, location
Real estate matters in and near the pelvic floors of males impact urinary continence and sexual secretion.
Nerves are a known factor in this sensitive region. too.
As mimicking Morpheus with restorative sleep is essential for healthitude, this should not be a meh– do nothing situation for us guys…
< Key clinical studies of prostate health suggest that partnered sexual activity is a fun and functional way to improve sleep with fewer or no trips to the loo.
Guys may sense a need to urinate, even though their bladders have not reached their capacity for urine. The increased size of an abnormal prostate gland is usually the trigger for awakening with an urge to go.
As promised, I offer practical and doable hacks to avoid “gotta go” awakenings.
Three Bladder mitigations are to:
- hydrate early in the day and limit water or beverage intake when close to bedtime.
- A corollary for alcohol is to make a last call at dinnertime, rather than a beddy-bye nightcap.
- Take walks after meals, with a particular benefit of strolling after dinner.
- How simple is this tactic? Just do it, guys!
- Enjoy partnered acts of pleasure.
- Some years ago, my primary care physician offered a call to action, namely “ejaculate often.” Just sharing…
Skipping caffeine or other natural diuretics after dinner can also help.
These mitigating efforts work for gents even at ages above 80-something. This is important as “By age 80, some 20% to 30% of men experience BPH symptoms severe enough to require treatment. “
Are there natural products that may help avert or limit nighttime and daytime “gotta go” senses or urges?
Good query! The fruit of the saw palmetto tree was used by native Americans long before modern medicine identified pharmacological treatments.
Please note that clinicians have not yet proven or disproved the performance of saw palmetto as a supplement to help control bladder urges. As we’ve heard and discussed before…”More research is needed..”
Saw Palmetto Tree – Credit: Gemini
To me, this lack of current causal proofs is due to the high costs of implementing our scientific method.
As correlation, I argue that it may be worth a guy’s trial and error to gauge whether saw palmetto is a do-nothing. berry extract, or a placebo, or a working supplement to improve male quality of life.
By the way, some females with over active bladders (OABs) benefitted from regular saw palmetto supplements.
Moi?
I do take a third party-tested Saw Palmetto supplement daily. (I continue to frown that our Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate dietary supplements.)
Side effects for the public are minor or non-existent. I don’t sense any side effects in my case. So, I consider saw palmetto part of my “whole life” insurance for my nuts and bolts and bladder.
As we prepare for Thanksgiving and Holiday season 2025 – I hope that you keep your nuts and bolts organized.
Please join our big KAHUNA movement to change the trajectory of America’s top killer – Atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
And, please opt-in for regular Well Past Forty updates.
Dave F.
