Why does the prostate enlarge?

The prostate is an important organ of the male reproductive system. Prostatic hypertrophy is a common disease in men's medicine. There are many reasons for prostatic hypertrophy. When you have prostatitis, the prostate will hypertrophy. Acute prostatitis can be cured quickly with some anti-inflammatory drugs, while chronic prostatitis generally recovers more slowly. Prostatic hypertrophy is also related to excessive sexual activity.

Direct cause: organ function cannot meet the needs of the whole body

It is understood that the prostate gland cells contain a special substance, 5α-hydrogenase, which can convert the testosterone produced by the male testicles into more physiologically active dihydrotestosterone and transport it throughout the body through the blood.

Anyone with a little medical knowledge knows that dihydrotestosterone is a type of male androgen. It is of great significance for maintaining male secondary sexual characteristics, normal sexual desire, and normal sperm production.

Experts point out that with age, the prostate gland gradually ages, the content of 5α-hydrogenase decreases, and the amount of dihydrotestosterone in the blood also decreases. Unable to meet the needs of male secondary sexual characteristics, normal sexual desire, and normal sperm production, in order to balance the body's "supply and demand", the prostate gland will grow more, thus leading to the occurrence of prostate hyperplasia.

This is very similar to the "monetary policy" of a country issuing a large amount of paper money during a period of deflation.

Root cause: Prostate necrosis and hardening

On the surface, prostate hyperplasia is caused by aging of the gland and its inability to meet the needs of the whole body; in fact, prostate hyperplasia is caused by prostate necrosis and hardening (also known as "fibrosis"). On the one hand, necrosis and hardening will cause direct damage to prostate gland cells; on the other hand, it will cause damage to prostate capillaries. In the absence of blood nourishment and maintenance, prostate gland cells will also decline and die.

On this basis, it is bound to cause a decrease in the 5α-hydrogenase content in the prostate gland cells and a decrease in the conversion of dihydrotestosterone. When the body's needs cannot be met, prostate hyperplasia will occur.