Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, which is a common condition affecting older men.

Causes and Risk Factors

• The exact cause of BPH is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to hormonal changes that occur with aging.
• Risk factors for developing BPH include advancing age, family history, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

Symptoms

• Weak or interrupted urine flow
• Frequent urination, especially at night (nocturia)
• Difficulty starting to urinate (hesitancy)
• Painful urination (dysuria)
• Increased frequency of urination
• Urgent need to urinate
• Dribbling or leakage of urine

Diagnosis

BPH is typically diagnosed based on a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests, including:

• Digital rectal exam (DRE)
• Urinalysis
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test
• Ultrasound imaging
• Urodynamic tests to assess urine flow and bladder function

Treatment Options

Treatment for BPH depends on the severity of symptoms and may include:

• Lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and managing fluid intake
• Medications to relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, or to shrink the size of the prostate gland
• Minimally invasive procedures, such as transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) or transurethral needle ablation (TUNA)
• Surgical options, including transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), open prostatectomy, or laser surgery

Complications

If left untreated, BPH can lead to complications such as:

• Urinary retention
• Bladder stones
• Kidney damage
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Bladder dysfunction

Prevention

While there is no proven way to prevent BPH, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing underlying medical conditions may help reduce the risk of developing symptoms.