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Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

What is Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

The prostate is a gland found only in the male body. It is about the size of a chestnut and is located under the bladder surrounding the urethra (the tube that brings urine from the bladder to outside the body).

The prostate gland produces seminal fluid, which when mixed with sperm makes semen, which the man ejaculates during sexual climax.When this becomes enlarged usually as a male ages this is known as B.P.H. or benign prostatis hyperplasia.

What are the Symptoms of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

There are a number of possible symptoms associated with BPH:

  • Many attempts may be required to empty the bladder, as there may be a weak or interrupted flow of urine.
  • You may experience a difficulty in starting the flow of urine. This can happen even if the bladder feels full.
  • Even though no more urine will come, you may feel as though the bladder isn't empty yet.
  • You may need to go to the toilet more often than usual during the day and night. Needing to urinate a lot at night is an early sign of BPH.
  • You may experience an urgent need to go to the toilet, and this may result in a leakage of urine (urinary incontinence).
  • You may experience pain or a burning sensation when urinating.
  • There may be a dribbling of urine after you have urinated.

    • What are the Causes of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

    It is normal, as a man gets older, for his prostate to grow larger. As this is often harmless, it is referred to as benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), or benign enlargement of the prostate.

    Traditional Medical Treatments for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

    Mild symptoms do not require treatment. For moderate symptoms, your doctor may recommend medications. These drugs will shrink the prostate gland but the long-term results are yet to be assessed.

    For more severe symptoms, surgical removal of part of the prostate gland is usually required. This is most commonly undertaken through the urethra. The procedure is called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Under general or spinal anaesthesia, a special type of cystoscope (a bladder viewing instrument) is inserted into the urethra. Once the prostate gland is seen, a heated wire loop is used to cut away the prostatic tissue that is obstructing the urethra. There are no scars after this surgery but a catheter (a tube to drain fluid) will be left in for several days to assist urine drainage.

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