The prostate is a gland that produces some of the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine passes out of the body.
An enlarged prostate means the gland has grown bigger. Prostate enlargement happens to almost all men as they get older.
An enlarged prostate is often called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is not cancer, and it does not raise your risk for prostate cancer.
BPH; Benign prostatic hyperplasia (hypertrophy); Prostate – enlarged
The actual cause of prostate enlargement is unknown. Factors linked to aging and changes in the cells of the testicles may have a role in the growth of the gland, as well as testosterone levels. Men who have had their testicles removed at a young age (for example, as a result of testicular cancer) do not develop BPH.
Also, if the testicles are removed after a man develops BPH, the prostate begins to shrink in size. However, this is not a standard treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Some facts about prostate enlargement:
Less than half of all men with BPH have symptoms of the disease. Symptoms may include:
The treatment you choose will be based on how bad your symptoms are and how much they bother you. Your provider will also take into account other medical problems you may have.
Treatment options include “watchful waiting,” lifestyle changes, medicines, or surgery.
If you are over 60, you are more likely to have symptoms. But many men with an enlarged prostate have only minor symptoms. Self-care steps are often enough to make you feel better.
If you have BPH, you should have a yearly exam to monitor your symptoms and see if you need changes in treatment.
SELF-CARE
For mild symptoms:
MEDICINES
Alpha-1 blockers are a class of drugs that are also used to treat high blood pressure. These medicines relax the muscles of the bladder neck and prostate. This allows easier urination. Most people who take alpha-1 blockers notice improvement in their symptoms, usually within 3 to 7 days after starting the medicine.
Finasteride and dutasteride lower levels of hormones produced by the prostate. These drugs also reduce the size of the gland, increase urine flow rate, and decrease symptoms of BPH. You may need to take these medicines for 3 to 6 months before you notice symptoms getting better. Possible side effects include decreased sex drive and impotence.
Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), which may occur with BPH. BPH symptoms improve in some men after a course of antibiotics.
Watch out for drugs that may make your symptoms worse:
SAW PALMETTO
Many herbs have been tried for treating an enlarged prostate. Many men use saw palmetto to ease symptoms. Some studies have shown that it may help with symptoms, but results are mixed, and more research is needed. If you use saw palmetto and think it works, ask your doctor if you should still take it.
SURGERY
Prostate surgery may be recommended if you have:
The choice of which surgical procedure is recommended is most often based on the severity of your symptoms and the size and shape of your prostate gland. Most men who have prostate surgery have improvement in urine flow rates and symptoms.
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): This is the most common and most proven surgical treatment for BPH. TURP is performed by inserting a scope through the penis and removing the prostate piece by piece.
Simple prostatectomy: It is a procedure to remove the inside part of the prostate gland. It is done through a surgical cut in your lower belly. This treatment is most often done on men who have very large prostate glands.
Other less-invasive procedures use heat or a laser to destroy prostate tissue. Another less-invasive procedure works by “tacking” the prostate open without removing or destroying tissues. None have been proven to be better than TURP. People who receive these procedures are more likely to need surgery again after 5 or 10 years. However, these procedures may be a choice for:
Men who have had BPH for long time with slowly worsening symptoms may develop:
BPH may come back over time, even after having surgery.
Call your provider right away if you have:
Also call if:
Kevin Mcvary is an Urologist in Maywood, Illinois. Mcvary has been practicing medicine for over 40 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Enlarged Prostate (BPH). He is also highly rated in 21 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Enlarged Prostate (BPH), Erectile Dysfunction (ED), Bladder Outlet Obstruction, Prostatectomy, and Aquablation. He is licensed to treat patients in Illinois. Mcvary is currently accepting new patients.
Amy Krambeck is an Urologist in Chicago, Illinois. Krambeck has been practicing medicine for over 21 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Enlarged Prostate (BPH). She is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Kidney Stones, Enlarged Prostate (BPH), Bladder Stones, Endoscopy, and Prostatectomy. She is licensed to treat patients in Minnesota and Illinois. Krambeck is currently accepting new patients.
Sandeep Bagla is a Radiologist and an Interventional Radiologist in Falls Church, VA. Bagla has been practicing medicine for over 21 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Enlarged Prostate (BPH). He is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Enlarged Prostate (BPH), Osteoarthritis, Arthritis, Prostatic Artery Embolization, and Prostatectomy. He is licensed to treat patients in Virginia. Bagla is currently accepting new patients.
Summary: The study objective is to compare water vapor thermotherapy with the REZŪM™ System to dual drug therapy for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia refractory to alpha-blocker monotherapy in sexually active men.
Summary: To obtain post-market safety and efficacy data for FlexivaTM Pulse High Power Single-Use Laser Fibers during lithotripsy and soft tissue procedure of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).