What is BPH or Enlarged Prostate?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition in which the prostate enlarges as men get older.
To learn more about BPH and treatments, contact us to schedule an appointment.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
BPH is related to the normal aging process and is influenced by changes in the body’s levels of the male hormone testosterone. In some cases, an enlarged prostate may also be genetic. While BPH is a benign condition and unrelated to prostate cancer, it can greatly affect a man’s quality of life.
BPH is a very common condition that affects:
of men by age 603
BPH is the most common urological condition men face and the leading reason that men visit a urologist.
As the prostate enlarges, it presses on and blocks the urethra, causing bothersome urinary symptoms such as:
- Frequent need to urinate both day and night
- Weak or slow urinary stream
- A sense that you cannot completely empty your bladder
- Difficulty or delay in starting urination
- Urgent feeling of needing to urinate
- A urinary stream that stops and starts
You can measure the severity of your BPH symptoms by taking the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire.
BPH treatment options
- Lower the amount of fluids you drink, especially before you go out or go to bed
- Drink less caffeine
- Drink less alcohol
If lifestyle changes and medications are ineffective, your physician has a number of ways to treat your prostate. Many of these are called “minimally invasive,” meaning they are easier on you than regular surgery.
Examples of minimally invasive procedures include:
Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)
PAE is an interventional radiology procedure that injects small particles directly into the arteries that supply blood to the prostate, which leads to devascularization of the obstructing portion of the prostate.
Optilume BPH Treatment
Optilume is a catheter system that provides immediate relief without cutting, heating, burning, lasering, steaming or the use of implants. Optilume is a 30-minute, outpatient procedure.
Greenlight XPS™ Laser Therapy
Aquablation Therapy
Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy
iTind Therapy™
In-office procedure providing immediate results. Urologist places iTind™ device in your prostate using a cystoscope. Over next 5-7 days, the device reshapes your prostate improving urine flow.
UroLift® System
HoLEP Procedure
Minimally invasive surgical technique that has no incisions, precise tissue removal, reduced bleeding, shorter hospital stay, and overall improvement in quality of life. This makes it a highly effective.
Examples of surgical options include:
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
Suprapubic Prostatectomy
Suprapubic prostatectomy is done to remove part of an enlarged prostate gland. This procedure can be performed open or using the da Vinci robot and is performed for men who have very large prostate glands.