Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Numerous men suffer from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) while aging, which is a very common condition, and despite the fact that it’s not cancerous, it causes extremely annoying symptoms for the patient.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) occurs when the prostate enlarges, which is a gland in males that’s located under the bladder and in front of the rectum, and it also surrounds a part of the urethra (the tube that transfers urine and sperm outside the body).

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common prostate condition in males, and it affects most of the men while aging, most often after the age of 60.

Causes of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

• There isn’t a clear cause for the enlarged prostate, but it’s thought that the change in sex hormones while aging plays a role in it.
• The risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) increases in the cases of a family history, having a heart disease, diabetes, or obesity.

Symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

BPH causes a partial or complete blockage of the urethra, which causes the following symptoms:

• Difficulty to start urinating.
• Frequent urination, especially at night.
• The urine stream is weak or intermittent.
• Dribbling at the end of urination.
• Not being able to completely empty the bladder.
• Incontinence.
• Sometimes pain during urinating or after ejaculation, a change in the urine color or smell, or the inability to urinate at all.

Complications of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

• Urinary tract infections.
• Bladder stones.
• Blood in urine.
• Damage in the bladder or kidney.

Diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

• Physical examination.
• Blood tests.
• Urine tests.
• The condition might require cystoscopy and prostate biopsy sometimes.

Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

The treatment depends on the patient’s condition and includes:

• Medications.
• Therapies like laser, removing a part of the prostate tissue, or prostate lift.
• Prostatectomy in case other treatment didn’t work.