PROSTATE & THE MIND

PROSTATE health is often viewed strictly through the lens of physical symptoms — urination problems, sexual dysfunction, and cancer risk.

- DR BIJU SUKUMARAN PILLAI

But what's often overlooked is the profound mental and emotional toll untreated prostate issues can take on men.

As diagnoses of prostate ailments rise, so does the urgency to recognise how these conditions impact mental well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life.

A growing concern Prostate issues are considered an elderly man's concern, typically affecting those over 65. However, recently, more men in their 40s and 50s are being diagnosed with prostate cancer and other conditions. This shift isn't just a medical concern — it's a psychological one too.

Many younger men, blind-sided by diagnoses traditionally associated with aging, experience a deep sense of vulnerability. Questions about masculinity, fertility, intimacy, and even self-worth begin to emerge. And when symptoms go untreated, especially sexual dysfunction or incontinence, the emotional consequences can be devastating.

Toll on mental health Prostate problems rarely exist in isolation. Conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, or prostate cancer often come with a host of physical side effects that directly affect a man's sense of identity, confidence, and mental balance. Here's how: