Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is one of the most common urological conditions in men over the age of 50. Due to hormonal changes, the prostate gland begins to grow slowly and may interfere with urine flow. Important to know: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is not cancer and will never develop into prostate cancer, even without treatment.

What do BPH, BPE, and BPO mean?

In urology, three closely related terms are distinguished:

• BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia): The benign growth of prostate tissue—affects nearly all men of advanced age to some degree
• BPE (Benign Prostatic Enlargement): In about 50% of men with BPH, the growth leads to an actual enlargement of the prostate
• BPO (Benign Prostatic Obstruction): In about half of men with BPE, the enlarged prostate presses on the urethra and obstructs urine flow

Although these three conditions differ, the terms are often used interchangeably in everyday language.

Symptoms of Prostate Enlargement (LUTS)

The symptoms affect the lower urinary tract and are summarized as LUTS (Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms):

• Frequent urge to urinate: Both during the day and at night (nocturia)
• Weak urine stream: The flow of urine is significantly reduced
• Delayed onset: Despite the urge to urinate, it takes time for urination to begin
• Intermittent urination: The urine stream keeps stopping and starting
• Dribbling: Urine continues to drip after urination
• Incomplete emptying: The feeling that the bladder is not emptying completely
• Strong, sudden urge to urinate: Which is sometimes uncontrollable and can lead to involuntary urine leakage (incontinence)

Many men get used to these symptoms and consider them a normal part of aging. However, if the symptoms noticeably impair your quality of life, you should consider seeking medical evaluation.

Medication

If the symptoms are considered bothersome, various classes of medications are available:

• Alpha-blockers: Relax the muscles of the prostate, thereby facilitating urine flow
• 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors: Reduce prostate volume over a longer period of time
• Combination therapy: In certain cases, both groups of medications are used together

The appropriate treatment plan is developed individually following a thorough examination.

Surgical treatment

If medication alone is not sufficient or if complications arise, surgery may be appropriate. The goal is to improve urine flow and alleviate symptoms. There are various surgical procedures, which are selected based on the size of the prostate and the individual situation.

Are you experiencing prostate symptoms? Schedule an appointment at UROMED so that we can work together to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.