Youth Section: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Physiological Hematuria, and Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Young Adults

**43. Can young adults also develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?**

According to the latest survey data, the age of onset of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is gradually decreasing, affecting men of all ages, from middle school students to elderly men. Therefore, BPH is no longer a disease limited to a specific age; it can develop easily if one is not careful. The younger age of onset is mainly due to high stress levels from life, studies, and work, as well as unhealthy lifestyle habits. BPH in young adults has its own unique characteristics.

(1) Slightly increased frequency of urination at night. Increased frequency of urination at night is a major symptom of benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, most young adults urinate less than twice a night.

(2) It is easily misdiagnosed as chronic prostatitis. Because the early symptoms often include frequent urination, urgency, hesitancy, difficulty urinating, and dribbling at the end of urination, the clinical manifestations are very similar to those of chronic prostatitis. In addition, the age factor makes it easy for patients and medical staff to misdiagnose it as prostatitis, both subjectively and objectively.

(3) Young adults suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia have a strong desire for treatment, but they also have many concerns about surgery and its possible complications. While making thorough preoperative preparations, doctors should also do a good job of psychological work with patients to eliminate their concerns about surgery as much as possible.

(4) Young and middle-aged patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia are prone to mental symptoms such as dizziness, irritability, anxiety, memory loss, and decreased sexual function. When patients are in their prime, a series of symptoms such as difficulty urinating seriously affect their life and work, making them prone to mental and psychological disorders, and easily developing the impression of "premature aging" and "inferiority complex".

**44. What is physiological hematuria?**

Some young people experience visible hematuria after strenuous exercise, becoming very anxious and fearful, and seeking medical attention. This is actually physiological hematuria, also called exercise-induced hematuria, which has no impact on the body and usually subsides with adequate rest; there's no need to worry excessively. However, if it doesn't subside after rest or recurs, you should seek medical attention promptly. In such cases, it's important to be aware that other underlying medical conditions might be present, with exercise acting as a trigger for the hematuria. Don't delay seeking medical attention by assuming it's simply exercise-induced hematuria.

High-intensity exercise and profuse sweating, coupled with renal vasoconstriction, drastically reduce renal blood flow, causing renal tissue ischemia, hypoxia, and carbon dioxide retention. This ultimately leads to cell damage and increased glomerular capillary permeability, resulting in hematuria. Furthermore, high-intensity training, running, and jumping generate significant body vibration, causing excessive vertical movement of the kidneys. This can easily stretch or twist renal blood vessels, leading to kidney injury and bleeding. Additionally, if the bladder is empty during exercise, the repeated impact on the posterior bladder wall during vigorous activity can also cause injury and lead to hematuria.

After exercise is stopped, hematuria usually disappears quickly or improves significantly. Of course, if exercise-induced hematuria occurs, do not panic and stop exercising. As long as you balance work and rest, understand your body's tolerance limits, prevent over-fatigue, improve your self-protection ability, arrange training scientifically and reasonably, exercise from weak to strong and gradually increase the intensity, drink plenty of water, supplement with vitamins appropriately, and ensure sufficient sleep, you can avoid the occurrence of exercise-induced hematuria.

45. What are the different types of sexually transmitted diseases?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a group of diseases primarily transmitted through sexual contact. Common STDs include syphilis, gonorrhea, non-gonococcal urethritis, genital warts, chlamydia trachomatis infection of the genital tract, chancroid, genital herpes, trichomoniasis, and HIV/AIDS. STDs remain a significant global public health and social problem, posing serious threats to human physical, psychological, and reproductive health.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be transmitted through direct sexual contact, indirect contact, and the placenta and birth canal. Statistics show that over 90% of STDs are transmitted directly through sexual intercourse; therefore, sexual contact is the primary route of transmission for STDs.

The clinical symptoms of different sexually transmitted diseases vary, mainly including frequent urination, urgency, painful urination, odor and discharge from the urethral opening, vulvar itching and growths, etc.

If you suspect you have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, you should go to a reputable medical institution for relevant examinations as soon as possible. The doctor will determine the specific treatment plan based on the patient's condition and cause. Patients should strictly follow the doctor's instructions, avoiding indiscriminate use of medication and irregular treatment to prevent adverse consequences. Regular follow-up examinations are also necessary to determine the treatment's effectiveness and the degree of infectivity.

So, how can we prevent sexually transmitted diseases? ① Actively treat any existing STDs or skin diseases; sexual partners should also be examined and treated simultaneously. ② Be faithful to your sexual partner and avoid unsafe sexual practices and multiple partners. ③ Adopt safe and healthy sexual practices, and use condoms correctly and consistently during sexual intercourse. ④ Pay attention to personal hygiene, change clothes frequently, and shower regularly. ⑤ Promote the use of disposable public bathing and personal items. ⑥ Strengthen your body's immunity through exercise.