Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as Enlarged Prostate, is a medical condition, which results in the non-cancerous growth of the prostate. BPH affects1 in 2 men above 50 years old1.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It produces a milky white fluid that nourishes and helps to carry the sperm. 1

Location of the prostate

The prostate is located in front of the rectum, just below the urinary bladder. The prostate encircles the urethra at the juncture between the bladder and urethra.

What happens to your prostate throughout life?

The size of the prostate gland changes throughout a man’s life, undergoing to main growth phases:

¹ National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Prostate enlargement: benign prostatic hyperplasia. NIH Publication No. 07-3012. June 2006.

Two theories involving hormonal changes are thought to be responsible for the growth of the prostate during adulthood. The first involves changes in the normal balance of sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone) and the second involves the role of DHT (a derivative of testosterone). As we’ve seen, the risk of developing BPH increases with age. In fact, the condition affects more than 50% of men above the age of 50 and close to 90% of men by the time they reach 80 years of age².

² Naslund, Curr Med Res Opin 2009;25(11)2663-2669.

An enlarged prostate can make it more difficult to urinate although not all men who have an enlarged prostate experience symptoms. In the early stages of the condition, the symptoms are mild but as the prostate continues to grow, the symptoms can become more troublesome.¹

Symptoms of BPH may include:

- Getting up several times at night to urinate
- Difficulty in starting urinating
- Weak urine flow
- Need to urinate more frequently
- A feeling that you need to pass urine that persists even after urinating
- Leakage or dribbling of urine
- Urgency to urinate

Since other problems, like an infection or cancer, can also cause these symptoms, it is important to approach your doctor today to discuss your symptoms.

¹ National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Prostate enlargement: benign prostatic hyperplasia. NIH Publication No. 07-3012. June 2006.