What is benign prostate enlargement?
The prostate is a gland located just below the bladder, surrounding the urethra. Its primary function is to produce a fluid essential for sperm motility. In a young, healthy man, the prostate is about the size of a walnut.
With benign prostate enlargement, the gland increases in size and may compress the urethra, leading to urinary difficulties. The exact reason why the prostate starts to grow is unknown.
Overview
Normal prostate gland
Benign prostate enlargement
Benign prostate enlargement occurs when the number of cells in the prostate increases. The growth itself is not harmful, but as the prostate enlarges, it can squeeze the urethra and/or bulge into the bladder, narrowing the urethral passage and making urination more difficult. This can lead to problems emptying the bladder and an increased need to urinate, often negatively affecting quality of life. Benign prostate enlargement is not a malignant condition and should not be confused with prostate cancer.
Benign prostate enlargement is medically referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The condition becomes increasingly common with age, affecting approximately half of all men over 50 and up to 80% of men over 80.
Common symptoms of benign prostate enlargement
The symptoms of benign prostate enlargement often lead to a reduced quality of life. The need to frequently visit the toilet at all hours, poor sleep quality, and avoiding social activities are examples of how quality of life can be negatively impacted.
Complications of benign prostate enlargement
Persistent difficulty in emptying the bladder can lead to various complications:
- Incomplete emptying can allow bacteria to grow, leading to recurrent urinary tract infections.
- The bladder can stretch and cause “overflow incontinence,” where urine leaks in small amounts.
- The pressure in the bladder increases if it is full. This can affect kidney function in the long term and lead to kidney failure.
- In some cases, it can become so difficult to urinate that it eventually becomes impossible. This is called acute urinary retention. It causes severe pain in the lower abdomen and requires immediate medical attention to empty the bladder.
