What is BPH?

About Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Welcome to SanoMed.

We are a Rezūm water vapour therapy clinic.

Prostate Enlargement & BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate gland. BPH is a common condition as men get older. The prostate is a small gland that starts out about the size of a walnut. As men age, the gland becomes enlarged.

About half of men with the condition have no symptoms other than the change in size. For others, urinary and sexual issues can result, including impeded of urine flow, leading to bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems.

You can do a lot to take care of yourself and give your body what it needs. Still, as you get older, your body changes in ways you can’t always control. For most men, one of those changes is that the prostate gets bigger.

Your prostate surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of your penis. When you have BPH, your prostate is larger than usual, which squeezes the urethra. This can cause your urine stream to be weak, waking you up a lot at night to go to the bathroom. It also could lead to other bothersome urinary symptoms. When you have BPH, your prostate is larger than usual. The large prostate can squeeze the urethra.

BPH isn’t prostate cancer and doesn’t make you more likely to get it.

It’s a common condition, and there are a lot of treatments for it, from lifestyle changes to medication to surgery. Your doctor can help you choose the best care based on your age, health, and how the condition affects you.

The symptoms of BPH are often very mild at first, but they become more serious if they aren’t treated. Symptoms can include trouble with urination, a weak urine stream, and not feeling empty after urination.

Treatment options include lifestyle changes, medicine, and surgery – as well as some newer MIST options – Minimally Invasive Surgical Therapies – like Rezūm Water Vapour Therapy.

Common symptoms are:

  • Inability to completely empty the bladder
  • A need to urinate two or more times per night
  • Incontinence
  • Straining to urinate
  • Sudden urge to urinate
  • Weak urine stream
  • Dribbling of urine
  • Painful urination
  • Blood in the urine
 

As the prostate enlarges, it can partially block the flow of urine from the bladder, causing urine to back up in the bladder. This can increase the frequency of urination and potentially cause urinary tract or kidney problems.

The doctor will review your symptoms and medical history. A rectal examination will be needed for the doctor to assess the size of the prostate.

Diagnostic and assessment tests may include:

  • Urinalysis (urine test)
  • Ultrasound of the prostate
  • Measuring urine left in the bladder after urinating
  • Cystoscopy to look at the urethra or bladder with a scope
  • Urodynamic pressure to test pressure in the bladder during urinating

Treatments for an Enlarged Prostate

There are effective treatments available for prostate gland enlargement, including medications, minimally invasive therapies and surgery.

To choose the best option, you and your doctor will consider your symptoms, the size of your prostate, other health conditions you might have, and your preferences.

There is a summary of common BPH treatment options in the treatment section of this website.

Is BPH Hurting Your Quality of Life?

Tired of waking up at all hours to empty your bladder?

Always looking for a place to “go” the minute you get where you’re going?

It can get worse over time.

The fact is, as symptoms increase, BPH can interfere with your day-to-day life.

  • It can disrupt your sleep. Making you tired and cranky.
  • BPH can hurt or impact the quality of your work.
  • Damage your confidence and self-esteem.
  • And put a damper on your sex drive.
 

Potential impacts include:

  • The need to restrict/limit fluid intake.
  • Exhaustion from lack of sleep.
  • Anxiety and embarrassment.
  • Challenges with sex life.
  • Limiting activities like travel and sports.
 

If you have symptoms of BPH, please contact your doctor for an assessment.