I have fought this problem for 10 years, so far successfully. As I understand it in current medical opinion, both testosterone and estrogen are involved in causing prostate problems such as BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia). I take two approaches, one to combat each problem.
Historically they thought that testosterone which is metabolized into DHT by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase was responsible for BPH and Prostate Cancer. The drugs they use were/are almost as bad since 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors, finasteride and dutasteride, are associated with erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) and decreased libido. After starting with Saw Palmetto I found my best relief with Beta Sitosterol. When I can find a supplier for raw material I like to take 2 caps for a total of 1.5 gms ED.
I am convinced that the current thought of estrogen having an equally nasty effect on the prostate is right on the mark and hence I have found a great solution in using Formastane/Penetrate to lower my estrogen. I thereby boost my testosterone and block the aromatase from my prostate. As per the following article you will see how this becomes more important as we age.
“AROMATASE INHIBITORS and PROSTATE CANCER
AROMATASE, an enzyme found in the liver, in responsible for the conversion of the androgens ANDROSTENEDIONE and TESTOSTERONE into the estrogens ESTRONE and ESTRADIOL. By inhibiting aromatase the body produces less estrogen and maintains a higher testosterone state.
Clinically, there are a variety of reasons why doctors would prescribe an aromatase inhibitor for women. These include:
Healthy breast tissue
Proper estrogen levels
Healthy lean muscle mass
Uterine fibroids
In men aromatase activity increases with age, converting what little testosterone is left into estrogen. It is perhaps this event that is most responsible for the many symptoms of “male menopause,” and possibly even enlarged prostates and prostate cancer.
Clinically, there are a variety of reasons why doctors would prescribe an aromatase inhibitor for men. These include:
Healthy prostate tissue
Proper testosterone levels
Healthy sperm count
The long-held theory of prostate cancer, that testosterone is bad stuff, and even worse when it's converted to dihydrotestosterone, is gradually falling into disfavor.
A more prevalent current opinion is that prostate cancer has more to do with estrogen than with dihydrotestosterone. It appears that many men, as they get older, convert too much testosterone to estrogen and that this excessive estrogen is the cause of prostate enlargement or prostate cancer.
For men, we're just beginning to recognize that the overproduction of estrogen may be a large part of the problem. (We should remember, by the way, that in both sexes, testosterone metabolizes to estrogen by the action of aromatase. In women, of course, the great majority of the testosterone is converted, whereas in men, it's the opposite: most of the testosterone in a healthy man stays as testosterone, and only a little bit becomes estrogen.)
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AGE ADJUSTED PSA LEVELS
age-adjusted: modified to take account of the age of an individual or group of individuals; for example, it has been suggested that normal PSA values can be adjusted according to age groupings of men:
Age PSA "cutoff"
40-49 up to 2.5 ng/ml
50-59 up to 3.5
60-69 up to 4.5
70-79 up to 6.5”
