What is BPH?
BPH -- or benign prostatic hyperplasia -- is
the medical term for an enlarged prostate. A non-cancerous
disorder, an enlarged prostate is the most common prostate health
problem among men.1 Half of men between the ages of 50
and 60 will develop it, and by the age of 80, about 90 percent
will have experienced BPH symptoms.2
It may result in a range of uncomfortable symptoms such as frequent urination, incomplete emptying of the bladder, a weak urine stream or difficulty starting urination.3
As the prostate slowly continues to enlarge, symptoms may gradually worsen, interfering with sleep, physical comfort and routine activities. In rare cases, an untreated enlarged prostate may lead to an inability to urinate, incontinence, bladder stones, kidney infections, and damage to the bladder, kidneys and urethra.
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What are the symptoms of BPH?
Symptoms of BPH vary with each individual. They may include: |
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Frequent, often-urgent need to urinate, especially at night |
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Need to strain or push to get
the urine flowing |
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Inability to completely empty
the bladder |
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Dribbling or leaking after urination |
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Weak urine stream3 |
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Because male urinary symptoms can also be caused by more
serious conditions, such as prostate cancer, it's important
to see your doctor to determine the cause of your symptoms.
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How common is BPH?
By about age 50, about half of all men have begun to
develop an enlarged prostate. And by age 80, 90 percent of
all men have the condition.2
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About the prostate
What does the prostate do? The
prostate, a male sex gland, produces the fluid for semen. 3
How does BPH affect urinary function?
Sitting just below the bladder, the prostate gland surrounds the upper part of the urethra (the tube that drains urine away from the bladder to the penis for excretion). As the prostate grows larger, it presses against the urethra, narrowing the passage through which urine flows. Problems with urine flow may result as the urethra narrows due to prostate enlargement.
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