1 of 13

Write now Article Tools

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH as it is usually referred to, is a pesky disorder of the prostate, which most men will experience if they live long enough. BPH is quite common in men over the age of fifty; therefore a yearly examination of the prostate in recommended. It is not prostate cancer; it won't kill you although it can annoy you until you wish you were dead.

Why men develop BPH has caused several theories to develop, none of which appear to answer the whole question. However, researchers do know that the prostate has two stages of growth. Early in puberty the gland doubles in size, which, according to some researchers, is the beginning of BPH in later life. Symptoms of the malady rarely occur before age forty although the prostate continues to grow throughout a man's life. This second and continual growth is why half the men in their sixties have indications of BPH, and ninety percent of men in their seventies and eighties are afflicted.

The prostate surrounds the urethra, the duct that allows urine to flow from the bladder. As the gland grows the outer membrane thickens and ceases to expand, thus squeezing the urethra and slowing or even stopping the flow of urine. Symptoms include

v Hesitant, interrupted, weak stream
v Urgency and leaking, or dribbling
v More frequent urination, especially at night

After diagnosis, which involves a digital rectal examination and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test to differentiate BPH from possible prostate cancer, drug therapy is usually used. At present six drugs to treat BPH have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Two of the four, Avodart and Flomax, are specifically engineered to relieve symptoms of BPH and to actually shrink the size of the gland. Although its size does not necessarily induce BPH, researchers have found that in advanced stages, where the gland is causing a lot of trouble, reducing its size does help.
Further information regarding BPH and other prostate problems, including cancer, can be found on the National Cancer Institute's website www.cancer.gov/.

One problem with BPH is that a man may not know he has it until the obstruction suddenly stops all flow of urine. Called acute urinary retention, it can be triggered by taking over-the-counter cold or allergy medications. Decongestants can cause urinary retention by stopping the bladder opening from relaxing. Other triggers can be alcohol, cold temperatures, and prolonged inactivity.

Men are notoriously reluctant to say

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Symptoms and treatment?
We want to hear your view. Write now!