Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
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Overview |
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Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is common in men over 50 and is a non-cancerous (benign) enlargement of the prostate gland - the male gland which produces a fluid that provides most of the volume of semen. The urethra - the tube that carries urine from the urinary bladder through to the penis - passes through the prostate gland. If the prostate becomes enlarged, as it does in BPH, it may compress the urethra partially or block it completely and obstruct the flow of urine. The cause of BPH isn't known, but it may involve changes in hormone levels that occur as men get older.
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Symptoms and Diagnosis |
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BPH first causes symptoms when the enlarged prostate begins to block the flow of urine. This can cause difficulty in starting to urinate; a feeling that urination has been incomplete; a strong, sudden need to urinate; frequent need to urinate often at night; and a weak urinary stream.
By feeling the prostate during a rectal examination, a doctor can usually determine if it is enlarged. Blood tests that measure kidney function are generally performed, as is a blood test that screens people for prostate cancer by measuring levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
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Treatments |
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Sometimes the symptoms of BPH remain at a tolerable level for an indefinite period. In these cases, the doctor may decide to review symptoms on a regular basis - a 'watchful waiting' approach.
Choices of drug treatment include medications that shrink the prostate helping urine to flow more easily and thereby delaying the need for BPH-related surgery or other treatments; and drugs that relieve the clinical symptoms of BPH by relaxing smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck.
If medications are ineffective, surgery can be performed. The most common surgical procedure for BPH is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) where an instrument is inserted via the urethra and used to remove prostate tissue.
Treatment should be tailored to the individual. If side effects occur as a result of drug treatment, it is important that a patient discusses them with his doctor who may consider changing the dose or switching to an alternative therapy.
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What else can I do? |
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Some relief of symptoms can be achieved through lifestyle changes. The discomfort associated with BPH may be eased by reducing fluid intake at bedtime, and reducing caffeine and alcohol intake generally. Lack of physical exercise, being overweight, high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, and an unhealthy diet are factors which may increase the risk of BPH.
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Medical Information/Conditions |
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There may be information on this website related to certain medical conditions and their treatment. You should promptly see your own physician or healthcare provider should you suffer from an existing medical condition. We do not offer personalized medical diagnosis or patient-specific treatment advice. Indeed, only your doctor or other healthcare professional, as a learned intermediary, can determine if a product described in this, or any, website is appropriate for you.
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