Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPH)

What is benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the rise of the prostate gland. The word “benign” means the cells are not cancerous. “Hyperplasia” means an increased number of cells. The prostate gland generally enlarges with age, but doesn’t always cause problems.

The prostate is made up of anatomical zones, BPH typically arise in the central and transitional zones of the prostate, and prostate cancer typically occurs in the peripheral zones of the prostate.

What are the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Symptoms are rarely seen before the age of 40, but over half of all men in their sixties and about 90% of men in their seventies and eighties show some symptoms of BPH.
The prostate gland encircles the urethra, so when the gland enlarges, it presses against the urethra, restricting urine flow through the tube and causing problems with urination.
The following changes may happen over a period of time is prostatic enlargement causing obstruction is not treated:

•Bladder wall thickens, capacity of the bladder is compact and becomes irritable
•Frequent urination as the bladder walls begin to contract even with small quantity of urine
•Bladder may become weak and loses the capability to empty; thereby retaining urine

The partial emptying of the bladder and narrowing of the prostatic urethra may lead to many problems such as:

•Urinating more often during the day
•Urge to urinate frequently during the night
•Urinary urgency, which means the urge to urinate is so strong and sudden, you may not make it to the toilet in time
•The urine stream is slow to start
•Needing to strain and push with abdominal muscles to start urination
•Urine dribbling for some time after urination
•A sensation that the bladder is not fully emptied after urination
•Lack of force to the urine flow
•The sensation of wanting to go again a few minutes after urinating