Get to the Bottom 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.

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.

“It affects about 50 percent of men around the age of 50,” says Andrew Sambell, M.D., a urologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie. Symptoms range from bothersome to significant.

What are the symptoms of BPH?
When the prostate becomes enlarged, it presses against the urethra. Symptoms often start gradually and 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.

Is BPH treatable?
Just because BPH is natural doesn’t mean men need to live with the condition.

“A third of the time, symptoms get better on their own,” Dr. Sambell says. “And treatment is usually very effective.”

Several medications offer relief and, if those don’t work, surgical options also are available.

By Shelley Flannery