Its a mans world is an iconic, soulful ballad co-written by the late James Brown and recorded in February 1966 at Bob Gallos Talent Masters studio in New York City. And it is a song that celebrates the virtues of being a man while simultaneously acknowledging the many virtues of women. Something to note about this iconic, soulful ballad that reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 more than 50 years ago is how it called attention to the many differences between men and women. Along with emotional and psychological differences, men and women are also remarkably different from a physiological standpoint. To understand to what extent, it helps to know a little more about the endocrine system in both genders.

What Science Has Revealed About the Male and Female Endocrine System

For those not as well-versed in human physiology, the male and female body houses an endocrine system. And this system is comprised of a network of hormone-secreting glands that allow the body to function optimally. In both genders, the primary hormones that make up the endocrine system include the pineal, pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and thymus glands. The pancreas is also one of the many glands that make up the endocrine system in both men and women. One key difference between the male and female endocrine system has to do with the reproductive glands.

Male and female bodies alike have reproductive glands that make conception possible. In men, this would be the testes. And in women, it would be the ovaries. The testes are responsible for secreting testosterone. The ovaries, on the other hand, secrete estrogen. When these glands secrete adequate amounts of their respective hormones, they play a vital role in contributing to homeostasis and enabling men and women to realize the joys of parenthood. However, if these hormone levels fall too low, it can lead to fertility issues and other physical health problems in men and women alike. For example, women with low estrogen levels, which correlates with estrone and estradiol levels below 17 and 15 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), respectively, will usually experience the following:

Much like women, men with low testosterone levels, typically below 280 ng/dL, will see their fair share of ill-effects, some of which include the following:

One of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to the endocrine system is that its ability to secrete estrogen applies only to women. And this couldnt be any further from the truth. While the ovaries and adrenal glands secrete estrogen in women, the testes and adrenal glands secrete estrogen in men. Of course, the amount of this hormone secreted in men is much lower. When estrogen levels are too high, delineated by estradiol and estrone levels greater than 40 and 50 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL), respectively, men are more likely to suffer from prostate enlargement.

Common Causes of Prostate Cancer

Along with an enlarged prostate resulting from high estrogen levels, men who also have low testosterone levels are more likely to develop prostate cancer, say researchers with the National Institutes of Health. The sentiment is further echoed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which notes that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, especially among those age 40 and over. Further, a study published by Science Daily revealed that men with high testosterone and high human growth hormone (HGH) levels are also at risk of developing prostate cancer. And it does not end there as prostate cancer can also stem from inherited gene mutations, acquired gene mutations, and poor dietary habits. Men who have the misfortune of developing prostate cancer will often experience the following symptoms:

How Is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?

While symptoms detailed in this article generally correlate with prostate cancer, the only way for men to know for sure if they have developed the disease is to schedule an appointment with a urologist or oncologist. Two of the screening tests that these practitioners will use to determine if an individual has prostate cancer include a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Some practitioners will arrange an ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and may even order a biopsy if they observe prostate abnormalities that might be cancerous. If prostate cancer is confirmed, some practitioners may advise undergoing a prostatectomy.

What Is a Prostatectomy?

In short, a prostatectomy, otherwise known as prostate surgery, is a procedure that involves the partial or complete surgical removal of the prostate. This type of surgical procedure is a go-to for men with cancer affecting the prostate, which has not metastasized to other parts of the body, or an enlarged prostate. According to the American Cancer Society, the following are the different types of prostatectomy surgery that a physician might recommend to men diagnosed with either of these two health problems:

Consequences of Undergoing a Prostatectomy

As with any surgery, there are risks associated with undergoing a prostatectomy of any kind. Some of the ones frequently reported by men who have gone through with such a procedure include the following:

Ways to Ensure a Safe and Quick Recovery Following Prostatectomy Surgery

Indeed, numerous side effects can stem from undergoing prostatectomy surgery. However, according to most urologists, men who do the following are much less likely to encounter them:

Close medical supervision One of the best ways to ensure a safe and speedy recovery following prostatectomy surgery is to immediately contact your physician if youre experiencing excessive pain or bleeding post-surgery. After all, neglecting these issues can pave the way for infections and other complications that could significantly slow down the healing process.

Positive attitude Having a positive attitude aids in speeding up recovery and minimizing complications after a surgical procedure, say most naturopathic physicians. And prostatectomy surgery is no exception as a positive attitude can tamp down feelings of stress that would otherwise weaken the immune system and, in turn, slow down healing.

Avoiding accidents Another way to minimize complications while speeding up healing following prostatectomy surgery is by avoiding trauma to the urethra or bladder. For this reason, physicians often advise against engaging in strenuous activities, such as biking, running, or even having sex, while the body is still healing.

Prevention of Prostate Cancer: Testosterone and Human Growth Hormone Therapy

According to a study published by cancer.net, over 190,000 men will likely be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the end of 2020. But this doesnt mean that such a grim reality is unavoidable. There are things that men can do to lower their chances of developing the disease. For example, addressing hormone imbalance problems as soon as possible can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing prostate cancer. And this generally means taking medication to help boost low testosterone (find more about results of depo-testosterone in reviews of patients) or human growth hormone levels. Similarly, taking medication to lower high estrogen levels can help in this regard as well.

Natural Ways to Boost Immunity That Also Protects Against Prostate Cancer

Many of the same things that strengthen the immune system, which, in turn, lowers the risk of infection, can also protect against prostate cancer. Generally speaking, this comes down to healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercising regularly, consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet, and keeping stress to a minimum. Quitting smoking and minimizing alcohol consumption can further lower the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Bottom Line

All in all, men and women are more the same than they are different in that both have a higher chance of encountering life-altering diseases as they get older. Fortunately, breakthroughs in science and modern medicine, coupled with positive lifestyle choices, can go a long way toward keeping many age-related diseases, including prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women, at bay.

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