Choice Healthcare Services
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH )
After the age of 40, the number of cells in the prostate naturally start to increase and the gland enlarges. This is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH for short.
The exact cause is unknown, but it is thought to be linked with a breakdown product of the male hormone, testosterone. In some cases, enlargement of the prostate gland causes no problems.
If it squeezes the urethra however, this interferes with urinary flow and can cause symptoms such as:
- Straining or difficulty when starting to pass water
- A weak urinary stream which may start and stop mid-flow
- Discomfort when passing water
- Having to rush to the toilet
- Passing water more often than normal, especially at night
- Dribbling of urine or even urinary incontinence
- A feeling of not emptying the bladder fully
If left untreated, BPH can lead to a complete inability to pass urine (acute urinary retention) which needs urgent medical treatment.
Untreated BPH can also damage the kidneys due to a build up of pressure in the urinary tract. BPH is treated in three main ways, depending on how bad your symptoms are, and how much they interfere with your life.
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