Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

What is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?

The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system. It makes fluid that protects and provides nutrients to sperm. It makes 1/3 of the fluid that is released from the penis during the sexual climax.

As men get older, the prostate also grows larger. It grows about eight times its size. When a man reaches 50, the size of the prostate almost doubles in size leading to benign prostatic hyperplasia, better known as BPH.

BHP is a common prostate disease. Usually, men in their 40s develop BPH. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a non-cancerous and is not usually life-threatening, but it can impact a man’s life.

Men have a higher risk of developing BPH when they have someone in the family who also has BPH, and when they have medical conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Also, men who lack physical exercise and have erectile dysfunction may develop BPH.

What are the causes of BPH?

BPH cause is not well understood yet. However, the disease happens in older men. BPH does not develop in men who have no testicles or whose testicles were removed before puberty.

Researchers believe that Benign Prostatic hyperplasia is related to aging and the testicles.

What are the symptoms if you BPH?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia may include the following symptoms:

• Frequent urination
• Urge to urinate
• Weak flow of urine
• Frequent urination during nighttime or periods of sleep
• Urinary incontinence
• Dribbling at the end of urination
• pain after ejaculation or during urination
• Blood in urine

What can be done?

Men with symptoms of BPH should see a urologist. The BHP can be diagnosed based on family medical history, physical exam, and medical tests.

BPH is treated based on the severity of symptoms, how much the symptoms affect a patient’s everyday life and a patient’s preferences.

Treatment options may include

• Lifestyle change: for men with mild symptoms changing the lifestyle such as limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, reducing intake of liquid can help to reduce the symptoms of BPH
• Medications: Prescribe medications can help shrink the prostate gland
• Minimally invasive procedures such as Prostatic Urethral Lift (Urolift System), Thermotherapies & Laser therapy.
• Surgery: The prostate tissue is removed.

Desert Sky Urology offers exceptional urologic care to both men and women in Chandler, Gilbert, and Phoenix Arizona. For BHP treatment or enlarged prostate treatment call Desert Sky Urology today.