Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the enlargement of the prostate caused by an overgrowth (hyperplasia) of cells in the prostate.
BPH is a non-cancerous (benign) condition. Non-cancerous conditions do not spread to other parts of the body (no metastases) and are usually not life threatening. BPH does not increase the risk of prostate cancer and is not considered a health problem unless it causes symptoms.
In almost all men, the size of the prostate will have increased by the age of 70.
If you have symptoms of BPH, your doctor will ask you about their intensity. They may also ask you to complete a questionnaire about your symptoms and urinary habits.
If your doctor thinks you might have BPH, you will have tests to diagnose or rule out BPH or other problems, such as a UTI or prostate cancer. These exams include these:.
Treatments
You and your doctor will discuss which treatments are right for you. Treatment decisions are usually based on your symptoms, their intensity (or severity), the degree to which they bother you, your test results, and your preferences. BPH treatment options include the following.
watchful observation
Watchful waiting means monitoring BPH through tests and examinations to see if its signs and symptoms are getting worse. It is often used in men with mild symptoms that do not bother them. Other treatments will be started if the BPH starts to cause problems.
Lifestyle changes
If your symptoms are mild, you might consider changing some of your lifestyle habits to help manage them.
Try to limit your fluid intake, especially before going to bed. Also try to avoid caffeinated liquids (like coffee and soda) and spicy foods.
Some medications can make BPH symptoms worse. Tell your doctor if you are taking the following medicines:
medicines that increase the amount of urine produced by the body (diuretics);
Surgery
Surgery is used to treat BPH when drug treatment stops working or urinating is not possible at all. It can also be used to relieve severe symptoms.
. It has a thin wire through which an electric current flows. The doctor uses electric current to remove prostate tissue around the urethra by cutting it. He then removes this tissue through the resectoscope.
semen backs up into the bladder rather than being evacuated at the tip of the penis (retrograde ejaculation).
In rare cases, TURP can lead to erectile dysfunction or incontinence. However, the risk of experiencing these side effects is less after this operation than after surgery to remove the prostate (prostatectomy).
Other surgeries and procedures
The following surgeries and procedures can be performed to relieve urinary symptoms caused by BPH.
Laser prostatectomy involves using a laser to destroy prostate tissue. The laser is inserted into a cystoscope, which is an instrument with a light source and a magnifying glass that allows the doctor to see and treat areas inside the urethra and the bladder. Laser prostatectomy can be done by holmium laser enucleation or photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PPV).
Transurethral incision of the prostate (ITUP) involves using a special tool placed on a cystoscope to make small cuts (surgical incisions) in the prostate. ITUP helps reduce pressure on the urethra, but it does not remove tissue. It is mainly used when the prostate is small.
Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (DVT) involves using an electrode attached to a resectoscope. The electrode emits electricity which heats the prostate tissue until it is destroyed.
Intraprostatic urethral implants are inserted by a doctor into the prostate to push it away from the urethra.
Prostatectomy is surgery in which the prostate is removed . This operation is performed only in rare cases topamax without prescription where other procedures or surgeries cannot be performed. It can also be used if the urethra is completely blocked or if the prostate is very large.