Don’t Let Your Enlarged Prostate Run Your Life
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is an enlarged prostate gland. Symptoms include trouble with urination, a weak urine stream, and not feeling empty after urination. Treatments include lifestyle changes, medicine, and surgery.
What is the Prostate?
The prostate, a walnut-shaped gland that makes fluid which goes into semen, is a major part of the male reproductive system, While it isn't clear what causes the prostate to enlarge, most men will experience this. Throughout life, most men experience continued growth of the prostate although it isn't entirely clear what causes the prostate to enlarge. Scientific studies suggest that the enlargement may occur because of changing hormone levels as men age.
What is BPH?
BPH is the abbreviation for “benign prostatic hyperplasia,”; it is also known as prostate gland enlargement and benign prostatic obstruction. It is a condition that occurs in men when the prostate gland is enlarged and not cancerous (benign).
As the prostate enlarges, it will constrict the urethra. The bladder wall thickens, and as a result the weakened bladder loses the ability to empty completely. The narrowing of the urethra and the inability to empty the bladder completely causes many of the symptoms of BPH, such as:
- Intense urgency and frequency of urination
- Problems starting, stopping, or continuing stream of urine
- Incontinence
- Pain during ejaculation and/or after urination
- Unusual color and/or odor of urine
Is there only one way to treat BPH?
Luckily, patients have more than one option to look into when treating BPH. Some patients whose symptoms are less severe often choose the "watch and wait" method, which involves regular checkups and waiting to see whether or not symptoms worsen. There's also medicines, which provide very little relief, and traditional BPH Surgery. TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) and PVP (Greenlight Laser Prostatectomy) are among some of the surgical options you have, which are less-invasive and more effective than previous surgical methods. Urolift, an innovative and effective treatment for BPH is also an option. As with all medical diagnoses, and treatment plans, your urology specialist will be the best person to turn to for help to make the best decision for your lifestyle.
