Trips to the bathroom are an everyday effortless routine until you experience symptoms that complicate the process.
Have you recently experienced trouble with urinating? Perhaps, you notice you have a weak and slow urinary stream, and relieving yourself can sometimes cause discomfort or pain.
If your response to this statement is a slow and steady nod, you may have a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
What is the Prostate?
The prostate is a male reproductive system gland that is small and muscular [1].
The prostate gland is located around the urethra and is responsible for producing the majority of the fluid found in your sperm [1].
Many men experience an enlargement of the prostate gland. The result is occasionally the onset of symptoms as well as the development of further complications.
What is BPH?
The term benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) refers to an enlargement of the prostate that is not harmful to the patient [2]. Symptoms appear when the prostate gland’s cells begin to multiply and proliferate at an accelerated rate.
Due to the growth of these additional cells, the prostate gland swells, compressing the urethra and causing urine flow to be restricted [2].
There is no link between BPH and prostate cancer, and having the condition does not increase your chances of developing it [2]. It may, on the other hand, cause symptoms that negatively impact your quality of life.
Men over the age of 50 are more likely than others to experience BPH [2].
BPH Symptoms
BPH symptoms are frequently mild at first, but they can progress to more severe levels if left untreated. The following are examples of typical symptoms [3]:
- Blood in the urine
- Painful urination
- A slowed or delayed urinary stream
- A weak urinary stream
- Nocturia, or the need to urinate twice or more times per night
- Straining when urinating
- Incontinence or leakage of urine
- A sudden urge to urinate
- End-stage urinary dribbling
- Incomplete bladder emptying
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical advice. BPH is a highly treatable complication, and getting suitable treatment can improve your quality of life and reduce the risk of complications.
BPH Causes
BPH is considered to be a normal part of the aging process [3].
Though the exact cause is yet to be determined, it is possible that changes in male sex hormones associated with aging play a role in the development of the condition [4].
According to the Mayo Clinic, if you have a family history of prostate problems or testicular abnormalities, you may be more susceptible to developing BPH.
BPH Diagnosis
Your doctor may conduct a physical examination and pose questions about your medical history and current health status as part of the BPH examination.
A rectal examination will be performed as part of the physical examination to determine your prostate’s size and shape.
Additionally, other tests may be performed.
To kick start the diagnostic process, your doctor will ask you a series of detailed questions about your symptoms, followed by a physical examination. The following are likely to be included in this preliminary examination [5]:
- Blood test.
- It is possible that the results will indicate a kidney or prostate problem.
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
- PSA is a substance that is produced by the prostate gland and is associated with male infertility. In men who have an enlarged prostate, the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in their blood increases. However, elevated PSA levels can be caused by a variety of factors, including recent procedures, infection, surgery, or prostate cancer [6].
- Urine test.
- When a urine sample is analyzed, it can help to rule out infections and other conditions that may present with symptoms that are similar to those of the BPH.
- Digital rectal exam.
- A digital rectal examination (DRE) is a procedure in which a healthcare professional inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the male reproductive system in order to feel for any abnormalities, such as cancer. Nonetheless, there is insufficient evidence to support the benefits of DRE as a screening test [6].
When you’ve been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, your doctor may suggest additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any additional problems. The following are examples of these tests:
- 24-hour voiding diary.
- A nighttime urinary output greater than one-third of your daily total urinary output helps to rule out other causes, keeping a record of your urine frequency and volume may be especially beneficial.
- Postvoid residual volume test.
- A complete bladder emptying test determines whether you are able to empty your bladder completely. Ultrasound or the insertion of a catheter into your bladder following urination can be used to determine the amount of urine that is still in your bladder, and the results are recorded.
- Urinary flow test.
- In order to record the strength and volume of your urine flow, you must urinate into a container that is connected to a machine. The results of your tests can assist you in determining whether your condition is improving or deteriorating over the course of your treatment.
If your condition is more complicated, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- Cystoscopy.
- While you are under local anesthesia, your doctor will need to insert a device called a cystoscope into your urethra to see inside your urethra and bladder.
- Urodynamic and pressure-flow studies.
- A catheter is inserted into your bladder, through your urethra, and into your kidneys, where it remains for several hours. Over a period of time, water or, less frequently, the air is injected into your bladder at a slow and steady rate. In order to determine how well your bladder muscles are functioning, your doctor will take a pressure reading in your bladder. In most cases, these studies are reserved for men who are suspected of having neurological problems or for men who have previously undergone a prostate procedure and are still experiencing symptoms several months after the procedure was completed.
- Prostate biopsy.
- To guide needles used to obtain prostate tissue samples through the transrectal area, transrectal ultrasound is used (biopsies). When your doctor examines the tissue, he or she will be better able to diagnose or rule out prostate cancer.
- Transrectal ultrasound.
- An outpatient procedure, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) creates a video image of the prostate gland using sound waves [7]. It takes five to fifteen minutes and can be completed in the office. It is performed under local anesthesia. While traveling through the prostate, sound waves are produced by an ultrasonic probe that is small and well-lubricated and can be inserted into the rectum.
Additional medications that may have an effect on your urinary system will be discussed with your doctor, including those listed below [8]:
- Sedatives
- Antihistamines
- Diuretics
- Antidepressants
If your medication needs to be adjusted, your doctor can make the necessary changes. It’s always best to avoid making changes to your medications or doses on your own.
If you have tried self-care measures for at least two months and have not seen any improvement, you should consult your doctor.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your own healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, August 18). What Is Prostate Cancer? Retrieved August 19, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/basic_info/what-is-prostate-cancer.htm
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Symptoms & Treatment. Retrieved August 19, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9100-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia#:%7E:text=Benign%20prostatic%20hyperplasia%20(BPH)%20is,sperm%20out%20of%20the%20body.
- National Library Of Medicine. (2022). Benign enlarged prostate: Overview. Retrieved August 19, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279204/
- Jarvis, T. R., Chughtai, B., & Kaplan, S. A. (2015). Testosterone and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Asian journal of andrology, 17(2), 212–216. https://doi.org/10.4103/1008-682X.140966
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. (2021, April 13). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved August 19, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20370093
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, March 14). What Is Screening for Prostate Cancer? Retrieved August 19, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/basic_info/screening.htm
- UPMC HIllman Cancer Center. (2022). Transrectal Ultrasound for Prostate Cancer | UPMC. Retrieved August 19, 2022, from https://hillman.upmc.com/cancer-care/prostate/screenings/transrectal-ultrasound
- Watson, S. (2019, January 30). What Medications Should I Avoid If I Have BPH? Healthline. Retrieved August 19, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/bph-medications-to-avoid#:%7E:text=Decongestants%2C%20such%20as%20pseudoephedrine%20(Sudafed,t%20easily%20leave%20the%20bladder.
