12 Exercises Men Can Do To Relieve Prostate Problems

Prostate problems for men include chronic prostatitis and an enlarged prostate. While medication helps relieve pain, exercise is also known to help manage symptoms.

Prostatitis, inflammation of the prostate, can cause pain or difficulty during urination and sexual dysfunction. It can even lead to anxiety and depression. Antibiotics are used to treat acute and chronic prostatitis, but the medication doesn't always work.

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According to Harvard Prostate Knowledge, a study conducted by Italian researchers followed 231 sedentary men with chronic prostatitis. One group was assigned to do aerobic exercises three times a week for 18 weeks. Another group was given simple non-aerobic exercises, such as sit-ups and stretching, for the same time period.

At the end of the trial, the aerobics group showed significantly more improvements in prostatitis pain than the other group. Anxiety and depression were relieved and the men in the aerobics group also improved their quality of life far more than the non-aerobics group.

Prostate enlargement from benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, can affect many men after the age of 50. More men are affected as they age further. It can also lead to urinary and sexual problems.

Exercise can work to manage and prevent BPH. According to Livestrong, a study reported in a January 2007 issue of the Journal of Urology analyzed the impact of exercise for men with prostate problems. Researchers found that men who performed vigorous aerobic exercise had significantly more improvement in quality of life and reduction in pain when compared with a group of men who performed stretching and motion exercises.

Here are several exercises that might help relieve prostate problems:

1. Walking

2. Swimming

3. Jogging

4. Tennis

5. Rowing

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6. Dancing

7. Hiking

8. Jumping rope

9. Push-ups

10. Lifting weights

Exercises with precautions:

11. Biking can cause pressure on the prostate area from pounding and a long time of sitting. Men should choose a wide seat with padding or a soft, gel-filled seat. Many bicycle manufacturers have specialty seats for men concerned about potential prostate problems, reports Harvard Prostate Knowledge.

12. According to Easy Health Options, kegel exercises might help with urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate. Men tighten and clench pelvic muscles, called the external sphincter muscles, to help the muscles hold in urine. However, some men with chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome should avoid the exercises, which could increase pelvic tension. They could instead learn to relax the pelvic muscles to release tension.

This article is for information only and is not intended as medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your specific health and medical needs.

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