Men’s Health

3 Comments Posted on by Reji Koduvath Canada

Beyond the PSA: A Personal Journey with BPH and the Importance of Men’s Health After 50

Men’s pelvic health is as critical as mental and cardiac well-being, especially after the age of 50. It is a cornerstone of overall quality of life that is often overlooked until a crisis strikes. My own journey with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) began not with an emergency, but with a routine blood test—a story that underscores the vital importance of proactive healthcare for men.

The First Sign: A Routine Test

In 2007, a routine quarterly check-up—a benefit covered under Canada’s healthcare system for managing my diabetes—revealed elevated Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels. My family doctor recommended a follow-up invasive ultrasound, a 20-minute diagnostic procedure involving a transrectal probe. The result was clear: Slight Enlargement of the Prostate, or BPH.

The PSA test, often associated with cancer screening, measures a protein produced by the prostate. Its “normal” range increases with age, and elevated levels can signal benign conditions like prostatitis or, as in my case, BPH—a common, non-cancerous enlargement of the gland driven by aging and hormonal changes.

The Wake-Up Call: A Crisis Abroad

The abstract diagnosis became a frightening reality in 2008 while holidaying at Machu Picchu, Peru. I developed acute difficulty urinating. My wife, a pharmacist, initially suspected a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and advised increased fluid intake. Within 12 hours, my condition deteriorated dangerously, requiring an emergency dash to a local hospital.

We faced an immediate language barrier; the medical staff spoke only Spanish. Thankfully, Google Translate bridged the gap. The diagnosis was acute urinary retention. Doctors inserted a catheter and drained a staggering 6 litres of urine, providing immense relief. We returned to Toronto with the catheter and collection bag still in place.

Navigating the Canadian Healthcare System

Our son drove us directly from the airport to a Toronto hospital Emergency Room. After confirming the situation was stable, they scheduled an urgent appointment with a urologist for the following Monday.

Dr. Scott, the urologist, conducted a thorough examination. Given my family history—my father had also suffered from BPH—he recommended immediate medication, which is Canada’s first-line treatment. However, I requested surgery to resolve the issue definitively. He agreed and advised me to sit while urinating until the procedure to ensure complete bladder emptying and avoid post-void dribbling.

The Procedure and Recovery: Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

The following Monday, I underwent a Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP), a common, minimally invasive surgery. The surgeon accesses the prostate through the urethra, removing the obstructive inner tissue to restore urine flow—no external incisions are made.

Discharged the next day with a catheter, I spent a week in recovery at home. A visiting nurse removed the catheter that Friday. The recovery protocol for the first 4-6 weeks is strict and essential for healing:

  1. Urinary Changes: Frequent urination, urgency, and some dribbling are normal and gradually improve.
  2. Hydration: Drink at least one glass of water per hour to flush the bladder.
  3. Activity Restrictions: No heavy lifting (>5-10 lbs), strenuous exercise, long car rides, or biking to prevent bleeding.
  4. Diet: A high-fibre diet and stool softeners prevent constipation and straining.
  5. Driving/Work: Avoid driving for two weeks; desk work can resume in 2-3 weeks, with physical jobs requiring 4-6 weeks.
  6. Sexual Activity: Abstain for 4-6 weeks. A common long-term outcome is retrograde ejaculation (“dry orgasm”), where semen enters the bladder instead of being expelled.

A Sobering Follow-Up and a Clear Message

At my two-week post-op check-up, Dr. Scott shared a sobering statistic: approximately 66% of Indian senior citizens suffer from BPH. He expressed relief that my condition was benign and not cancerous.

My experience underscores a crucial message for men over 50: do not ignore your pelvic health. A simple PSA test can be the first indicator of an issue. Listen to your body, understand your family history, and advocate for yourself within the healthcare system. BPH is highly manageable but ignoring it can lead to severe complications and emergencies. Prioritizing this aspect of health is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom—ensuring comfort, dignity, and quality of life for years to come.

1 Comment Posted on by Reji Koduvath Canada

Movember and Men’s Health

The word ‘Movember‘ is derived from the combination of the word ‘Mo‘, which is the Australian-English abbreviated form for ‘Mustache‘ and ‘November,’ as the event takes place every year during the month of November. This involves growing of mustaches in order to raise awareness of different men’s health issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health challenges.

Using the mustache as a catalyst, Movember encourages men to invest in their own health by more openly talking about their health concerns and more proactively seeking necessary medical care. The idea is to bring about change and give men the opportunity and confidence to learn and talk about their health and take action when needed.  Participants of Movember are called ‘Mo Bros’ and the women who support are called ‘Mo Sistas.’

The idea of Movember originated in 1999, when a group of men from Adelaide, Australia decided to grow their mustaches for charity during the month of November and the Movember Foundation came into existence. The goal and motto of the foundation is to ‘change the face of men’s health.’ The movement has gone global and today is well supported in New Zealand, the US, Canada, UK, Finland, Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and Ireland.

The Movember Foundation aims to prevent men dying too young from a range of health issues including prostate and testicular cancer, mental health and suicide. Their efforts have impacts on a global scale and have funded more than 1,200 men’s health projects around the globe.

Globally, men die on average five years earlier than women, and for reasons that are largely preventable. The world loses a man to suicide every minute of every day.  The reason for the poor state of men’s health are numerous and complex and include:-

  • Lack of awareness and understanding of the health issues men face.
  • Men not openly discussing their health and how they’re feeling.
  • Reluctance to take action when men don’t feel physically or mentally well.
  • Men engaging in risky activities that threaten their health.
  • Stigmas surrounding mental health.

Canadian statistics indicate that:-

  • 1 in 9 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
  • Testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in young Canadian men.
  • In 2019, over 3,050 men died by suicide, nearly 60 men per week.
  • In Canada, 3 out of 4 deaths by suicide are men.
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Canadian males aged 15–44 years.

Here are some fun-facts to tickle your mustache!!!

  • The King of Hearts is the only king in a deck of cards without a mustache. 
  • Noblemen in the Victorian era ate soup with special ‘mustache spoons’ equipped with small barriers to protect their mustaches.  
  • Ram Singh Chauhan holds the Guinness world record with a mustache that spans 14 feet long.
  • There are between 10,000 and 20,000 hairs on a man’s face, and the average mustache has 600.
  • The average man spends six months of his life shaving and mustache grooming. 
  • The average man will touch his mustache upwards of 750 times per day, averaging 31.25 times per hour.

Will you participate in Movember?  Will you educate your peers, friends and family about men’s health issues?