Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (BPH)?
The prostate is a gland located between the penis and the bladder, located just in front of the rectum. Like a doughnut hole, the urethra runs through the center of the prostate from the bladder to the penis to allow the travel of urine.
The prostate secretes fluid that nourishes and protects sperm. During ejaculation, the prostate squeezes this fluid into the urethra, and it is expelled with sperm as semen.
BPH is a non-cancerous (benign) enlargement of the prostate. Your prostate grows to the size of a walnut during your teenage years. It may begin to grow again when a man reaches middle age. The reasons for this growth are not fully known. By the age of 80, 80% of men have BPH. BPH causes symptoms in many older men.
What are the Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate?
An enlarged prostate presses on the urethra. The pressure can obstruct the flow of urine through the urethra. Obstruction of the flow of urine can cause problems, including:
• Frequent urination, especially at night (nocturia)
• Weak urine flow
• Sudden urge to urinate (urgency)
• Trouble starting and stopping your urine stream (hesitation)
• Inability to completely empty your bladder
• Pushing or straining to urinate
• Pain or burning during urination
The obstruction caused by the enlarged prostate can become so severe, men can become unable to urinate forcing them to seek emergency treatment. Fortunately, there are treatments for men when their prostates enlarge including medications and surgical procedures. Next...
