Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate, is a condition that becomes more common as you get older. The prostate gland, which plays a role in semen production, sits just below the bladder. It typically enlarges as men age.
When the prostate enlarges, it can cause troublesome urinary symptoms by obstructing urine flow from the bladder. If left untreated, this obstruction may lead to complications affecting the bladder, urinary tract, or kidneys.
Several treatment options exist for managing BPH. These include medications, surgical procedures, and other minimally invasive techniques. The most appropriate treatment choice depends on several factors such as the severity of symptoms, prostate size, and presence of other health conditions.
Signs of Prostate Enlargement
Common Urinary Problems
Men with enlarged prostates often experience several urinary symptoms. You might notice you need to pee more frequently or urgently. Many men find themselves waking up multiple times at night to use the bathroom.
Starting to urinate can become difficult, and your stream may appear weak or stop and start. Some men experience dribbling after finishing, or feel like they can’t completely empty their bladder.
Less common but more serious symptoms include:
- Blood appearing in urine
- Complete inability to urinate
- Urinary tract infections
It’s important to understand that symptoms usually worsen gradually over time. However, some men experience stable symptoms or even improvement without treatment.
Interestingly, prostate size doesn’t always predict symptom severity. Some men with slightly enlarged prostates have severe symptoms, while others with very large prostates have minor issues or no symptoms at all.
Other Possible Causes of Urinary Symptoms
Urinary problems don’t always stem from an enlarged prostate. Several other conditions can cause similar symptoms:
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Urinary tract infection | Bacterial infection in any part of the urinary system |
| Prostate inflammation | Swelling and irritation of the prostate gland |
| Urethral narrowing | Restriction in the tube that carries urine out of the body |
| Bladder neck scarring | Tissue damage from previous surgeries |
| Stones | Hard deposits in the bladder or kidneys |
| Nerve problems | Issues with nerves controlling bladder function |
| Cancer | Tumors in the prostate or bladder |
Certain medications can also cause urinary symptoms similar to prostate enlargement, including:
- Strong pain medications (opioids)
- Cold and allergy medicines
- Older types of antidepressants
When To Call Your Doctor
Discuss urinary symptoms with your healthcare provider even if they seem minor. Finding and treating the underlying cause is important to prevent complications like dangerous urinary blockages.
Seek immediate medical attention if you cannot urinate at all. This represents a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment.
Causes
The prostate gland sits below the bladder, with the urethra (the tube carrying urine out of the body) running through its center. When the prostate grows larger, it can compress the urethra and restrict urine flow.
Throughout a man’s life, the prostate naturally continues to grow. This ongoing growth often leads to enlargement significant enough to cause urinary symptoms or blockage.
Scientists haven’t definitively identified why the prostate enlarges. Research suggests it may be related to hormonal changes that occur with aging, particularly shifts in the balance of sex hormones as men get older.
Risk Factors
Several factors may increase the chance of getting an enlarged prostate:
- Age: Symptoms rarely appear before age 40, but risk increases steadily after that.
- Family History: Having relatives with prostate problems raises your risk.
- Health Conditions: Both diabetes and heart disease are linked to higher risk.
- Weight and Activity: Being overweight increases risk, while regular exercise may help protect against it.
Complications
An enlarged prostate can lead to several serious issues if left untreated. These complications can impact quality of life and potentially cause permanent damage to the urinary system.
Urinary retention occurs when a person cannot urinate at all. This emergency situation requires the insertion of a catheter to drain the bladder. Some patients may need surgical intervention to resolve this problem.
Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) can develop when the bladder doesn’t empty completely. Bacteria grow more easily in stagnant urine, leading to recurring infections. Surgical removal of prostate tissue might be necessary for those with persistent UTIs.
Bladder stones form when urine remains in the bladder too long. These stones can cause:
- Pain during urination
- Blood in urine
- Urinary blockage
- General discomfort
The bladder may suffer damage over time from constant stretching. When this happens, the bladder muscles weaken and lose their ability to contract properly, making urination even more difficult.
Kidney damage is a serious risk when pressure builds in the urinary system. This pressure can harm kidney function directly or allow infections to travel upward to the kidneys.
Proper treatment for an enlarged prostate significantly reduces these risks. While these complications can be concerning, it’s worth noting that having an enlarged prostate does not increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
