Learn More: Enlarged Prostate
Stress
Stress may be the most underestimated trigger of increasing the severity of urinary difficulties. The prostate and bladder neck are both rich in nerves that respond to adrenal hormones. These hormones are often called stress hormones because stress, whether physical or emotional, triggers sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Exposure to stress on a daily basis can result in chronic over activation of the SNS. The result for the prostate is that the smooth muscle of the gland remains in a state of chronic tension, squeezing the urethra and bladder neck. This then makes urination more difficult.
There are many strategies for reducing stress. These include:
- identifying the situations in life that cause stress
- developing strategies either to avoid these stressful situations or to change your response to them
- learning how to relax during periods of stress
- adopting and regularly practicing stress-reducing activities such as exercise, listening to music, reading, or meditation
