Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
(BPH · Prostate Problems)
In this condition factsheet:
The Facts on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
The prostate gland is a small, round lump of tissue located between the penis and the bladder. Its function is to add fluid to the semen, the liquid that carries the sperm. It tends to grow bigger as men enter middle age, and continues to grow with age. In some men the prostate gland can grow to be more than seven times its original size. This runaway growth is called hyperplasia and results in the condition benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
BPH causes no symptoms or problems in a quarter of men by the age of 55, and in half of men by the age of 75, where the chance of developing symptoms increases with each additional year. The prostate surrounds the top of the urethra, the tube through which we urinate, just where it meets the bladder. If the prostate gets too big, it can squeeze the urethra, partly closing it. This can lead to various urinary tract problems.
Having BPH doesn't increase your chances of getting prostate cancer. The two diseases can have similar symptoms, although prostate cancer often has no symptoms. It's also possible to have BPH and prostate cancer at the same time.
Causes of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
We don't know why the prostate grows larger in older men, but it's believed to be linked to hormonal changes associated with aging.
Symptoms and Complications of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
At first, you may find you have to strain harder when you are urinating. Over time, this straining can affect the bladder muscles, causing them to become oversensitive. Often, no matter how much you strain, the bladder still contains urine. The urge to urinate comes with increasing frequency. This can be a particular nuisance at night.
Other symptoms you can have include:
- feeling that you must urinate right away (urgency)
- a delay when you start urinating
- weak or interrupted stream of urine
- tendency to dribble after urination
- feeling your bladder isn't empty after urination
- pain in the lower back, pelvis, or upper thighs
A bladder that won't empty properly encourages infection of the urinary tract. A few men get urinary stones, repeated infections, or blood in the urine. Sometimes BPH causes urinary retention, a condition where you cannot empty your bladder completely when urinating. Rarely, it produces complete blockage of the urethra, which is a medical emergency.
