What’s Happening to Urine Flow?
Think of arteries “hardening” as years and years of cholesterol build-up take their toll; eventually, blood has a hard time maintaining its normal pressure and flow as it makes its way through them. BPH doesn’t involve a plaque-like accumulation—the build-up here involves an increase in cells, spongy glands and muscles—but what’s happening to the flow of urine is roughly the same, and that can be linked to the gland’s increased size and weight.
Another hormone that’s being implicated as a factor in BPH is estrogen. Male hormones, such as testosterone, can be converted to estrogen by an enzyme called aromatase. By itself, estrogen doesn’t make the prostate grow significantly. Researchers have learned, however, that estrogen stimulates the body’s receptors for androgen, or testosterone. Among other things, this enhances the action of DHT in the body; it also stimulates stromal cells, and inhibits cell death. This can lead to BPH.
*229\201\8*
