Knowing the BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) Symptoms

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate. When it is enlarged, it can irritate or block the bladder. A common symptom of BPH is the need to urinate often. This can be every one to two hours, especially at night.¹

The Prostate

The prostate gland is an organ that surrounds the urinary urethra in men. It secretes fluid that mixes with sperm to make semen. The urethra carries urine from the bladder and sperm from the testes to the penis.²

It is about the size of a walnut and weighs about an ounce. The prostate is below the bladder and in front of the rectum.²

The prostate goes through two main growth periods as a man ages. The first occurs early in puberty, when the prostate doubles in size. The second phase of growth begins around age 25 and continues during most of a man's life. As men age, the prostate may get larger. Benign prostatic hyperplasia often occurs with the second growth phase.³

The prostate on average weighs 20 grams in normal 21- to 30-year-old men, and the weight changes little thereafter unless the man develops BPH. The prevalence of histologically diagnosed prostatic hyperplasia increases from 8 percent in men aged 31 to 40, to 40 to 50 percent in men aged 51 to 60, to over 80 percent in men older than age 80.³

The Prostrate.²

Normal prostate vs prostate with BPH.²

The Symptoms.⁴

The symptoms of BPH may involve problems emptying the bladder or problems with bladder storage.

Symptoms related to bladder emptying include:

1. Difficulty starting urine stream (hesitancy and straining)

2. Decreased strength of the urine stream (weak flow)

3. Dribbling after urination

4. Feeling that the bladder is not completely empty

5. An urge to urinate again soon after urinating

6. Pain during urination (dysuria).

Symptoms related to bladder storage include:

1. Waking at night to urinate (nocturia)

2. Frequent urination

3. A sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate

Causes and Risk Factor.⁵

It isn't entirely clear what causes the prostate to enlarge. However, it might be due to changes in the balance of sex hormones as men grow older.

There are some risk factors for prostate gland enlargement, such as5 :

1. Aging. About one-third of men experience moderate to severe BPH symptoms by age 60, and about half do so by age 80.

2. Family history. Having a blood relative, such as a father or brother, with prostate problems.

3. Ethnic background. Prostate enlargement is less common in Asian men than in white and black men.

4. Diabetes and heart disease. Studies show that diabetes, as well as heart disease and use of beta blockers, might increase the risk of BPH.

5. Lifestyle. Obesity increases the risk of BPH, while exercise can lower the risk.

References :

1.      Anon. What are the symptoms of BPH? Available from:  http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain. Accessed at September 14, 2015.

2.      Anon. Benign Prostate Hyperplasia Available from:  http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain. Accessed at September 14, 2015.

3.      Cunningham GR, Kadmon D. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia Available from:  http://www.uptodate.com/contents/epidemiology-and-pathogenesis-of-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia. Accessed at September 14, 2015.

4.      Anon. Prostate Enlargement/BPH Health Center. Available from:  http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain. Accessed at September 14, 2015.

5.      Anon. Disease and Conditions: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Available from:  http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain. Accessed at September 14, 2015.