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What is BPH or Enlarged Prostate?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)  is a condition in which the prostate enlarges as men get older.

To learn more about BPH and treatments, contact us to schedule an appointment.

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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

BPH is related to the normal aging process and is influenced by changes in the body’s levels of the male hormone testosterone. In some cases, an enlarged prostate may also be genetic. While BPH is a benign condition and unrelated to prostate cancer, it can greatly affect a man’s quality of life.

BPH is a very common condition that affects:

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of men by age 603

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of men 60+4
waterdrop-90-percent
of men by age 853
waterdrop-95-percent
of men with moderate symptoms are unhappy about it1

BPH is the most common urological condition men face and the leading reason that men visit a urologist.

As the prostate enlarges, it presses on and blocks the urethra, causing bothersome urinary symptoms such as:

  • Frequent need to urinate both day and night
  • Weak or slow urinary stream
  • A sense that you cannot completely empty your bladder
  • Difficulty or delay in starting urination
  • Urgent feeling of needing to urinate
  • A urinary stream that stops and starts
prostate-normal-enlarged-illustration

You can measure the severity of your BPH symptoms by taking the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire.

Take the Questionnaire

BPH treatment options

How your physician handles your BPH varies based on your age, health, the size of your prostate, and how BPH is affecting you.

Lifestyle changes – you may want to start with the things you can control. For example, you can:
  • Lower the amount of fluids you drink, especially before you go out or go to bed
  • Drink less caffeine
  • Drink less alcohol
Medical therapy – Your physician may suggest medicine, which is typically the first line of treatment. Some medications work by relaxing the muscles in your prostate and bladder. Others help shrink your prostate. This may include Enzyme (5-alpha-reductase) inhibitors as well as Alpha blockers or Anticholinergics.

If lifestyle changes and medications are ineffective, your physician has a number of ways to treat your prostate. Many of these are called “minimally invasive,” meaning they are easier on you than regular surgery.

Examples of minimally invasive procedures include:

Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy

Using the natural energy stored in water vapor or steam, Rezūm relieves BPH symptoms safely and effectively, often eliminating the need for BPH medications.

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UroLift® System

This system uses a minimally invasive approach that provides rapid relief and recovery of BPH symptoms. The system lifts and holds the enlarged prostate tissue so it no longer blocks the urethra.

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Greenlight XPS™ Laser Therapy

Lasers are now used in many areas of medicine. During this procedure, the tissue blocking your prostate is rapidly heated and vaporized. Natural urine flow is rapidly restored in most patients.

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Examples of surgical options include:

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

A combined visual and surgical instrument (resectoscope) is inserted through the urethra where it’s surrounded by prostate tissue. An electrical loop cuts away excess prostate tissue to improve urine flow.

Suprapubic Prostatectomy

Suprapubic prostatectomy is done to remove part of an enlarged prostate gland. This procedure can be performed open or using the da Vinci robot and is performed for men who have very large prostate glands.

I’m ready to talk about my BPH!

If you’re tired of experiencing the symptoms of BPH, your body may be telling you something is wrong. Our physicians can talk with you about the best options for treatment. Call us or request an appointment to learn more about BPH and treatments.

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