Prostate Enlargement: A Urinary System Disease or a Part of Normal Aging?

As men grow older, their prostate gland grows larger as well. Prostate enlargement is medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Doctors also call this as benign prostatic hypertrophy. Even though it is referred to as benign, BPH is not a type of cancer.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located just below the male's bladder. It is a part of the male's reproductive system. Although experts are not sure about all of its functions, what is known is that it produces a type of fluid that becomes part of the semen during sexual climax. This fluid helps energize the sperm and makes the vaginal canal more conducive for sperm to pass through by making it less acidic during sexual intercourse.

Normally, the prostate enlarges as a man matures. It occurs as two phases in a man's lifetime. The first enlargement occurs during early puberty where the prostate doubles its size. The second time it grows again may occur at around the age of 25 and will continue to grow slowly as the man ages. As to why the prostate continues to grow throughout a man's life, still remains a mystery.

Prostate enlargement or BPH rarely causes urinary symptoms before the age of 40. However, more than half of the male population in their sixties will have symptoms of the condition, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). They also added that as many as 90 percent of men in their seventies and above have some symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

When symptoms occur, it is usually the result of compression of the urethra by the enlarged prostate tissue. The urethra is a tube where urine from the bladder passes out of the body. A portion of this tube is surrounded by the prostate, called the prostatic urethra. As the prostate enlarges, it can squeeze or compress the prostatic urethra, thereby, causing symptoms.

Common symptoms of BPH include difficulty or trouble urinating; hesitant, interrupted, or weak streamed urine flow; feeling of urgency to urinate; frequent urination; or dribbling after urinating. These symptoms may be signs of other urinary problems. A consultation with a healthcare professional should be sought.

Severe cases where urine flow is almost totally blocked may lead to the development of bladder stones, urinary tract infections, or kidney and bladder damage.

Enlargement of the prostate may or may not need any special medical treatment depending on the case of the person. If symptoms do not bother a person, the doctor may recommend waiting before starting any medical treatment to see whether symptoms get worse or not. Also, the doctor may advise the person to have a yearly check-up. Treatment may start later on if symptoms get worse

Common treatment options for prostate enlargement include medicines to help relieve symptoms or help shrink the prostate. The person can talk to the doctor about possible side effects of the medications.

There are other less invasive procedures to help manage BPH. The doctor can discuss about these possible alternative therapies for BPH.

If all other treatments do not work, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove the tissue compressing the prostatic urethra.

References:Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
Age Page: Prostate Problems. National Institute on Aging.