About BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)
A life with BPH—commonly known as an enlarged prostate—is a life interrupted. A
good night’s sleep? Interrupted. Going to the game with the grandkids? Interrupted
- by going to the bathroom. Sitting through a movie? Not gonna happen. You’ll miss
the best part. Once again, interrupted. If these situations feel all too familiar,
you could have BPH. But you need to have a proper diagnosis to be sure. The good
news is that today, very effective treatments are available.
Dr. Safir can help you stop the interruptions of BPH and get on with your life.
What is BPH?
BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is simply an enlarged prostate. BPH results from
an overgrowth of prostate cells. The cause of this overgrowth is not certain, but
the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) – which is made in the body from testosterone
– is thought to play a significant role. BPH becomes more common as men age and
most cases occur after 50. The enlarged prostate presses on the urethra, blocking
normal urine flow. Over time, BPH weakens the muscle tone of the bladder walls and
causes the bladder to contract inappropriately, and sometimes involuntarily. The
net result of BPH is a variety of uncomfortable urinary symptoms.
BPH Symptoms
Common BPH symptoms may include any of the following:
- Urgency (needing to urinate suddenly)
- Needing to urinate very frequently
- Waking up several times a night to urinate
- Difficulty starting urination
- Weak or interrupted urine stream
- Leaking/dribbling (urinary incontinence)
- Feeling incomplete emptying of bladder after urinating