Enlarged Prostate: Understanding Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Enlarged Prostate is a condition that affects men as they age. The scientific name of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), while not life-threatening, can significantly impact a man’s quality of life due to its effects on urinary function. In this article, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of BPH, including its symptoms, causes, and various treatment options available.
BPH Symptoms
BPH primarily affects urinary function, leading to a range of bothersome symptoms, including:
- Frequent Urination: Men with BPH often experience an increased need to urinate, especially during the night (nocturia), disrupting sleep patterns.
- Urgency: There may be a sudden and urgent need to urinate, sometimes making it difficult to reach the bathroom in time.
- Weak Urine Stream: The flow of urine may be weak or interrupted, making it challenging to empty the bladder completely.
- Difficulty Initiating Urination: Men may experience difficulty starting the urine stream, requiring straining or pushing.
- Incomplete Emptying: Even after urination, there may be a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, leading to a sensation of urgency or discomfort.
- Dribbling: After urination, dribbling or leakage of urine may occur, contributing to feelings of embarrassment and frustration.
These symptoms can significantly impact daily activities, work, social interactions, and overall quality of life.
Causes of BPH
The exact cause of BPH is not fully understood, but several factors are believed to contribute to its development, including:
- Age: BPH is more common in older men, with the risk increasing with age. By age 60, more than half of men experience symptoms of BPH, and this prevalence continues to rise with advancing age.
- Hormonal Changes: Changes in hormone levels, particularly an increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT), are thought to play a role in prostate enlargement.
- Family History: Men with a family history of BPH are at higher risk of developing the condition, suggesting a genetic component.
- Lifestyle Factors: Obesity, lack of physical activity, and certain dietary habits may increase the risk of BPH.
While these factors contribute to the development of BPH, the condition is not associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024)
Treatment Options for BPH
Treatment for BPH depends on the severity of symptoms, the impact on quality of life, and individual preferences.
Treatment options include:
Watchful Waiting: In cases where symptoms are mild or not bothersome, a strategy of watchful waiting may be appropriate. This involves regular monitoring of symptoms without immediate intervention.
Medications: Several classes of medications are available to manage BPH symptoms:
- Alpha-blockers: These medications relax the muscles around the prostate and bladder neck, improving urine flow and reducing symptoms.
- 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors: These drugs work by reducing the size of the prostate gland, potentially relieving symptoms over time.
Minimally Invasive Procedures: For men with moderate to severe symptoms or those who do not respond well to medications, minimally invasive procedures may be recommended. These procedures aim to reduce prostate tissue and relieve urinary obstruction. Common minimally invasive procedures include:
- Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP): This procedure involves removing excess prostate tissue using a special instrument inserted through the urethra.
- Laser Therapy: Various laser-based techniques are used to vaporize or remove prostate tissue, improving urinary symptoms.
- Transurethral Microwave Therapy (TUMT): TUMT uses microwave energy to heat and destroy excess prostate tissue, opening up the urinary passage.
- Aquablation: A novel, robot-assisted procedure that utilizes a high-velocity water jet to precisely remove prostate tissue, offering effective symptom relief with minimal risk of complications.
(Mayo Clinic, 2024)
Aquablation Procedure
Aquablation represents an innovative approach to treating BPH, offering precise and efficient removal of excess prostate tissue while minimizing the risk of complications. During the procedure, a robotic system delivers a high-velocity water jet to precisely remove prostate tissue, guided by advanced imaging technology. Aquablation provides consistent outcomes with reduced operative time and a shorter recovery period compared to traditional surgical techniques.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is a common condition that affects many men as they age. Understanding its symptoms, causes, and treatment options is crucial for effectively managing the condition and improving quality of life. Whether through medications, minimally invasive procedures, or innovative techniques like Aquablation, there are various approaches available to alleviate symptoms and restore urinary function.
Dr. Shawn Todd of Texas Urological Clinic performed the first robot assisted Aquablation procedure in March 2024 at Woodland Heights Medical Center in Lufkin, TX. You can read the entire press release HERE
Relief From Enlarged Prostate is just a call away to us at (936) 899-7070
Works Cited:
“Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 8 Aug. 2021, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-bph#:~:text=Benign%20prostatic%20hyperplasia%2C%20a%20noncancerous,more%20common%20among%20black%20people Accessed 19 Mar. 2024
“Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 1 Mar. 2024, www.mayoclinic.org/disease
