Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Treatment

What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

BPH is an enlargement of the prostate which is not harmful (that is to say, noncancerous). It’s extremely common in men as they get older and a lot of sufferers mistakenly believe that this leads to an increased risk of prostate cancer. The clue is in the name; the enlargement is completely benign and the risk of prostate cancer is no greater in men with an enlarged prostate than it is in men without an enlarged prostate.

However, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia does cause some symptoms and can affect your urination. This is because the prostate gland is located between the penis and the bladder. If the prostate is enlarged, it can lead to a frequent need to urinate, difficulty urinating, difficulty emptying the bladder fully or problems with your urine stream.

Or some men with enlarged prostates, these symptoms can be almost unnoticeable and do not affect daily life. However, in other cases, they can be troublesome and require treatment.

What causes Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

While the cause is not fully known, it’s thought to be linked to age and the hormone changes that with it. As a man gets older, his hormone levels deplete and change in a similar way that a woman's does (when she reaches menopausal age). This change in hormones could be what causes the prostate to grow.

Although the cause is unknown, proper diagnosis is important because although BPH is not cancerous, the symptoms can be the same as that of prostate cancer. So before moving forward with BPH treatment, it’s important to first rule out prostate cancer and other related conditions.

How can I treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

BPH Treatment

Whether or not you require medication for your condition will very much depend on the severity of your symptoms. If they are very mild and not affecting your life too much then you may be able to treat BPH with lifestyle changes alone. If your doctor recommends prescription only medications, we have a range of options available.

If your symptoms are more severe then you may benefit from medications to relax the bladder and shrink the prostate. Effective medicines to treat incontinence symptoms include Combodart, Tamsulosin and Tabphyn. 

Regardless of whether or not you need medication for your enlarged prostate, it’s wise to make some lifestyle changes to improve your condition. This includes cutting down on alcohol, caffeine and fizzy drinks, drinking less in the evenings and exercising regularly.