What is BPH?
BPH is an enlarging prostate not caused by cancer. The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system that is below your bladder and sits around your urethra. The main purpose is to make fluid for ejaculation. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out from the bladder to the tip of the penis and goes through the middle of the prostate.
As the prostate grows it may squeeze down on the urethra and make it more difficult to urinate. This may be associated with symptoms such as having to urinate more frequently, or having the some sudden, compelling urge to urinate. If left unchecked, it may lead to leaking urine or inability to empty the bladder.
BPH is very common in aging men. About half the men over 50 have symptoms of BPH and 90% of men over 80 years old experience symptoms.
What can be done?
There is no sure way to prevent BPH. An active healthy lifestyle and a healthy diet may help. There are many medications available to help with symptoms as well. If symptoms cannot be controlled with medications, talk with your provider about other options.
We offer an assortment of minimally invasive options as well as other surgical options that can be used and depend on your symptoms as well as the size of your prostate. Some of these can even be performed in the office, some without needing a catheter.
