Marc Laniado MD FRCS(Urol) FEBU
CONSULTANT IN UROLOGY

The Prostate and Urinary Symptoms

1. What Is the Prostate Gland?
2. What is prostatic enlargement or Benign Prostatic hyperplasia?
3. Is BPH a sign of cancer?
4. Is BPH a serious disease?

What Is the Prostate Gland?

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. This walnut-sized gland is located in the pelvis beneath the bladder. The urethra passes though the prostate, which is a little like a ring doughnut or polo mint. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the tip of the penis. The prostate has a layer of muscle that works with the muscles in the bladder to control the flow of urine. As a gland, the prostate manufactures the milky part of the semen that lubricates, nourishes, and mixes with the sperm.

The size of the prostate remains constant during puberty and early adult life, but by age 50 years, the prostate grows larger. This condition is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is not cancerous in nature, but it can cause several difficulties. Most significantly, an enlarged prostate interferes with the flow of urine through the urethra and this can have secondary effects on the bladder.

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What is prostatic enlargement or benign prostatic hyperplasia?

While the condition benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is indeed "benign," its effects can range from feeling uncomfortable to being seriously debilitated. In its mildest form, BPH causes no troublesome symptoms. At other times, the following symptoms are causes

·        A feeling of always needing to urinate, even if you just did

·        Difficulty in starting to urinate

·        Changes in urinary habits, especially the need to urinate more frequently throughout the day and night

·        Sudden or urgent urination

·        Difficulty in stopping urine flow

·        Dripping that leaves spots on clothing

·        A decrease in the urine stream or flow

(Note that these symptoms are not specific for BPH. For example, frequency and urgency of urination can be caused by an infection. Thus, any symptoms should be evaluated by your doctor.)

Although BPH affects at least half of all men over age 50, it is typically in a mild form. The average age when BPH is diagnosed is 67.

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Is BPH a sign of cancer?

No. BPH and prostate cancer  are commonly present in men at the same time. However, most men with BPH don’t develop prostate cancer. As he early symptoms are the same for both conditions, you should see a doctor to evaluate these symptoms.

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Is BPH a serious disease?

By itself, BPH is not a serious condition, unless the symptoms are so bothersome that they interfere with your daily life. However, BPH can lead to serious problems. One problem is urinary tract infections. Another problem is the complete inability to pass urine ('acute urinary retention'), which is extremely painful for which you should get medical help right away. Sometimes this happens suddenly to men after they take an over-the-counter cold or allergy medicine. If the bladder has had to squeeze urine through the prostate for many years, the bladder can become weaker and stop contracting altogether. In rare cases, BPH can lead to kidney damage.

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