Look around you during the month of November
and you may see some men with mustaches that most certainly weren’t there
before. “No-Shave November” or “Movember” as the month is affectionately called
is dedicated to raising awareness for men’s health issues, especially prostate
and testicular cancers, mental health, and suicide. These topics are often
taboo for men to talk about, and the organizations behind the campaigns work
hard to fund research and promote awareness of these often undiscussed issues,
oftentimes in the form of encouraging men to grow out their mustaches to spark
conversation.
Most men have a prostate, so one of these
men’s health issues is prostate health. The prostate is a small walnut-sized
gland nestled between the bladder, the rectum, and the internal base of the
penis. It is responsible for making prostatic fluid, which, upon ejaculation,
mixes with sperm to provide the cells with food and an ideal environment.
The prostate continues to grow as men age, and
in many men this can cause problems. With a larger prostate pressing on the
urethra (the tube that channels urine out of the body) or bladder, urination
becomes more frequent and more difficult. Nearly all men over 50 experience
this, and it can also cause difficulties in getting and maintaining an
erection. If you or someone you love is experiencing these issues, talk to or
encourage them to talk to their doctor.
Although enlarged prostates and infections are
more benign prostate issues, prostate cancer is the main concern. Prostate
cancer is the most common form of cancer among men, and 1 in 41 die from the disease. It is
recommended, then, for anyone with a prostate to start talking to their doctor
about screenings after the age of 50, and 45 if there is a family history of
prostate cancer. The most common screening is a blood test for
prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, a protein produced by the prostate. A high
PSA may indicate presence of an enlarged prostate or cancer, and can then be
followed by further tests.
The good news is that besides getting
regularly screened and paying attention (and possibly eating a tablespoon of ground flaxseeds per day), there’s
another much more fun way to care for a prostate, and that’s through prostate
massage. Although medical research has yet to confirm it, anecdotal evidence
shows that regular prostate massage may improve prostate health, prevent and
help heal infection, and possibly even prevent cancer.
To massage a prostate, lube up a finger or toy and insert it into the rectum.
Use a toy with a curve to more effectively target the prostate, or curve your
finger towards the navel and feel around for a walnut-shaped bump that can be
felt through the wall of the rectum. Use a back and forth or up and down
motion, move in circles, and experiment with what feels good. Some popular toys are even designed to
be used hands-free for solo play. Your efforts may cause fluid (pre-ejaculate)
to drain out of the body through the urethra, which doctors think may help
cleanse the prostate.
The purpose of No-Shave-November is to get
people talking about men’s health issues, so maybe it’s time to do just that.
That doesn’t have to mean bringing up the benefits of prostate massage at the
Thanksgiving dinner table (that might be awkward!), but it could mean asking
your partner if he’s talked to his doctor about a PSA test, or if his family
has any history of cancer. Perhaps you could even join the crowd of folks
embracing No-shave November and grow out your very own mustache!
By: Sammi
Follow on Twitter @Squeaky_Springs
