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More info on Prostate Enlargement BPH

What is BPH?

THE prostate gland produces the liquid in which sperm are expelled from the penis during ejaculation. As the prostate enlarges, it can press on the urethra, causing problems with urination.

Prostate enlargement is often called benign prostatic hypertrophy or hyperplasia (BPH). It is not cancer and it does not put you at increased risk for prostate cancer. Although an enlarged prostate is not life threatening, it does require long-term management by both the patient and his doctor.

What causes BPH?

In many men, the prostate begins to grow when they are in their 50s and usually continues to grow throughout the rest of their lives. As the prostate grows, it puts pressure on the urethra. As pressure builds, it may lead to bothersome urinary symptoms and future complications.

What are the symptoms of BPH?

Men with enlarged prostates may experience one or more of the following urinary symptoms:

Difficulty in starting to urinate

Difficulty in completely emptying the bladder, possibly resulting in dribbling

A weak urine stream that starts and stops

Urinating more frequently, especially at night (nocturia).
Complete blockage of the urethra can also make it impossible for the man to urinate, leading to a “full” feeling and then to severe pain in the lower abdomen and bladder infections.


How is BPH diagnosed?

A doctor will first take the patient’s medical history and listen to the complaints he is having with urination. The doctor then continues with a physical examination of the prostate. This can be done through a digital rectal examination – that is, the doctor can feel it by inserting a gloved finger into the rectum.

This examination allows the physician to estimate whether the prostate is enlarged, has lumps, or other areas of abnormal texture. Prostate size can also be determined by measuring serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), an enzyme produced by the prostate.