It is very common for the prostate gland to enlarge with age. This known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The prostate goes through two main stages of growth in an average lifespan. The first happens in the initial stages of puberty when the prostate doubles in size. Then in one’s mid 20’s the prostate begins to grow again. This growth spurt often (many years later) leads to BPH.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the medical term for an enlarged prostate. It is very common and will happen to most men if they live long enough. The prostate goes through two main phases of growth. The first in puberty where the prostate doubles in size. The second happens at around 25years when the prostate starts growing again. This can often lead to BPH many years later. When the prostate enlarges, there is a layer of tissue around it that stops it from expanding. However this presses against the urethra and makes the bladder wall thicker and more irritable. The bladder begins to become sensitive to even the smallest amount of urine, causing the constant need to urinate. After a while the bladder loses the ability to properly empty, so urine stays in the bladder. What causes BPH is not known. Doctors know that BPH occurs mostly in older men and it does not happen to males who had their testes removed before puberty. The older a man is the less amount of active testosterone he has in his blood leaving a higher proportion of estrogen (the female hormone). Research on animals show that BPH may happen because of more estrogen in the prostate gland which increases the activity of cell growth. Symptoms of BPH include:

• Constant need to urinate

• Interrupted sleep because of needing to urinate

• Difficulty starting urination

• Weak urine stream

• Dribbling/leakage of urine

• Urinary tract infections

• Blood in urine

Benign prostatic hyperplasia can be treated in several ways. For men with mild BPH ‘watchful waiting’ is often advised. During this period men receive regular checkups and report any unbearable pain related to BPH to their doctor. Some males find that the symptoms of BPH are just an annoyance and do not need drug therapy, however for those whose symptoms affect day to day activities or endanger their health drugs are advised. Alpha blockers are usually given to help soothe the muscles of the prostate releasing some of the pressure around the urethra and reducing resistance to urine flow. In some cases however drug therapy does not provide the desired results and surgery is needed.