Although the prostate gland is the size of a walnut, it grows larger as a man ages. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the protein that could signal potential issues with the prostate, such as an enlarged prostate, inflammation, or prostate cancer. An enlarged prostate can pinch against the urethra, causing urinary problems such as incomplete bladder emptying.
A 2017 case study in Yoga Mimamsa involved two older men who had symptoms of an enlarged prostate. They took part in a yoga program that included a series of breath practices, standard yoga poses, and pelvic floor exercises. After a month, both men’s prostates decreased in size, and their PSA levels dropped. One of the men improved his urine volume. However, this was a small case study.
Physical activity can lower the risk of developing an enlarged prostate, according to a 2006 article in the International Journal of Cancer. While jogging or high-intensity interval training might help, they can also stress your pelvic floor. Prostate Cancer UK says pelvic floor exercises can target urinary problems often associated with an enlarged prostate. Yoga teaches you how to strengthen your pelvic floor while holding specific poses.