1-2-3 of BPH

What every man should know about Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Your husband used to tease you for knowing where the restrooms are at your favorite places. But lately it seems he’s been making more pit stops than you do. What gives?

It could be because of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Here are some things to know about the condition.

1. What is BPH?
BPH is the enlargement of the prostate. As the word “benign” suggests, it is not caused by cancer. In fact, it is a normal part of aging.

“Enlargement of the prostate occurs in men as they get older,” says Michael Wierschem, M.D., a urologist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano. “It usually starts in the 40s and 50s.”

2. What are the Symptoms of BPH?
When the prostate becomes enlarged, it presses against the urethra. Symptoms often start gradually and, according to Dr. Wierschem, include:

Frequent urination A slow or weak stream Urination that starts and stops Getting up to urinate at night Men who experience these symptoms should see their doctor to rule out prostate cancer.

3. Is BPH Treatable?
Just because BPH is natural doesn’t mean men need to live with it.

“There are a lot of things we can do to treat it,” Dr. Wierschem says. “Most men respond favorably to medication.” And if they don’t, there are other options available, including minimally invasive procedures and surgical options, such as holmium laser ablation of the prostate (HoLap).

By Shelley Flannery