Men are suffering more and more with prostate difficulties. In times past, it was the elderly men who were finding themselves with prostate conditions, but it is now occurring at younger ages. Depending on which condition we are looking at, an increasing number of men start having prostate problems as early as age 40. So, what’s going on?
Let’s first summarize which conditions I am referring to: Acute and chronic prostatitis, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), and erectile dysfunction (ED) that is secondary to faltering prostate health.
As with every condition I discuss, I am mostly interested in what goes wrong – what are the underlying mechanisms that set the stage for this condition to occur? This not only provides a framework for effective treatment, but also the ability to support men in preventing these health challenges. So, let’s review some of what can go wrong, then some of what we can do to change it.
Talking about all 3 conditions, there are common causative denominators: Xeno-hormones, heavy metals, tight clothing, chronic stress, poor diet, lack of physical exercise, excessive alcohol intake and inadequate sleep. Xeno-hormones are hormone-mimickers that interfere with the body’s natural hormones, especially estrogen (yes, men too have estrogen) and testosterone. This disruption can cause an increase in estrogen dominance relative to testosterone and lower testosterone levels. This can contribute to the prostate conditions as mentioned above, and infertility.
Heavymetals cause oxidative stress and inflammation, harming prostate tissue; tight clothing contributes to heat exposure and poor circulation, affecting prostate health; and chronic stress elevates cortisol, which disrupts testosterone levels and promotes inflammation.
In the diet: a poor diet increases systemic inflammation and reduces the nutrient intake that is essential for prostate health; excessive alcohol alters hormones and liver function, promoting prostate dysfunction; and a lack of essential fatty acids inhibit hormone production as fats are a required ingredient to make hormones. Speaking of ingredients, a diet that is nutrient dense gives the body the resources it needs to repair, function, and provide adequate hormones. That means a diet high in quality protein, minerals, good fats, and vitamins, and a diet low in sugar (which amongst other things is inflammatory).
Lifestyle factors such as a lack of physical activity leads to poor circulation, hormonal imbalance, and obesity, all of which increase prostate health risks; and inadequate sleep elevates stress hormones and increases inflammation, further harming prostate health.
By addressing these environmental and lifestyle factors, men can reduce their risk of developing prostate conditions or reverse the occurrence. Acupuncture is also an effective mode for treating prostate conditions. The therapeutic benefits include its ability to modulate inflammation, circulation, nerve function and hormonal balance. It improves urinary symptoms, and reduces the pain, inflammation and congestion associated with prostatitis. Acupuncture supports immune function, reduces stress, improves sleep and supports liver function, a key organ in hormonal balance.
©2025 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D.
