What is an enlarged prostate?
An enlarged prostate, also referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common condition in men that may lead to symptoms that involve the urinary system.
Your prostate is a small gland that forms part of your reproductive system and produces the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. An enlarged prostate develops because of changes in hormone balance and cell growth that triggers the gland to grow.
Your urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from your bladder out of your body, runs through the center of your prostate gland. As the prostate enlarges, it may squeeze or block the urethra, causing problems with urination.
What are enlarged prostate symptoms?
Symptoms of an enlarged prostate vary in type and severity based on the degree of urethra blockage. Common symptoms include:
- Trouble initiating urination
- Difficulty stopping urination (dribbling)
- Increase in the urge to urinate
- Weak urine stream
- Difficulty emptying your bladder
In a small number of cases, an enlarged prostate may cause bladder blockage, making it impossible or extremely hard to urinate. The blockage may lead to urinary retention and increase your risk of bladder infection, kidney damage, or kidney stones.
An enlarged prostate isn’t a risk factor for prostate cancer, nor does it affect your ability to father children or lead to erection problems.
How is an enlarged prostate diagnosed?
The men’s health experts conduct a full evaluation when you come to the office with concerns about an enlarged prostate, including cancer screening, in order to provide you with the most effective treatment plan. The team asks detailed questions about your symptoms and past health issues and conducts a physical exam to diagnose an enlarged prostate.
To assist in your diagnosis, the team performs a digital rectal exam to determine the size of your prostate and a urine test. Because symptoms of prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate are similar, the team also conducts a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to rule out prostate cancer.
How is an enlarged prostate treated?
The men’s health experts develop individualized treatment plans for the management of an enlarged prostate based on the severity of your symptoms, the size of your prostate, and your overall health. The experienced team offers medical therapy, as well as surgical intervention when needed.
Medical treatment for your enlarged prostate includes medication that alleviates your symptoms. The experienced team also offers surgical treatments for an enlarged prostate, including minimally invasive procedures, robotic surgery, and traditional open surgery.
For comprehensive, individualized care for your enlarged prostate, contact the office of Mike Hsieh, MD, by phone or online today.
