An enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a condition that affects about 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60, and up to 90% of men over 801. The prostate gland is located below the bladder and produces some of the fluid that goes into semen. As men age, the prostate gland can grow larger and press on the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. This can cause problems with urination, such as:
- Increased urinary frequency, or needing to urinate eight or more times a day
- Increased urinary urgency, or an inability to delay urination
- Difficulty starting a urine stream
- A weak or interrupted urine stream
- Dribbling at the end of urination
- An increased need to urinate when sleeping
- The inability to empty all of the urine from the bladder, also known as urinary retention
- Urinary incontinence
- Pain when urinating
- Pain after ejaculation
- Unusually colored urine
- Unusual smelling urine
These symptoms can affect your quality of life and lead to complications, such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, bladder damage, and kidney damage. Therefore, it is important to recognize the signs of an enlarged prostate and seek medical attention if you experience any of them.
The exact causes of BPH are not fully understood, but some factors that may increase your risk include:
- Age
- Family history
- Hormonal changes
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
- Genetic factors
There are several treatment options available for BPH, depending on the severity of your symptoms and your preferences. These include:
- Lifestyle changes, such as drinking less fluids in the evening, avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners, eating more fiber, using pads or a sheath, and practicing bladder training
- Medicines, such as alpha blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, and anticholinergics, that can relax the muscles of the prostate and bladder, shrink the prostate, or improve the blood flow to the penis
- Catheters, which are tubes inserted into the bladder to drain the urine
- Surgery and other procedures, such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP), transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT), transurethral needle ablation (TUNA), laser therapy, prostatic urethral lift (PUL), water vapor therapy, and prostate artery embolization (PAE), that can remove or destroy excess prostate tissue or widen the urethra
The best treatment for you will depend on your symptoms, your prostate size, your overall health, and your personal preferences. You should discuss the benefits and risks of each option with your doctor and make an informed decision.
An enlarged prostate is a common and treatable condition that can affect your urinary health and your sexual function. By knowing the symptoms and seeking medical help, you can improve your quality of life and prevent complications. If you have any questions or concerns about your prostate health, do not hesitate to talk to your doctor or a specialist.
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