The prostate is a small, muscular gland in the male reproductive system. Your prostate surrounds your urethra and makes most of the fluid in your semen. The muscular action of the prostate helps propel the fluid and semen through your penis during sexual climax.
In many men, the prostate can become enlarged. Sometimes it leads to symptoms and, over time, other complications. However, there are treatments. Enlargement of the prostate is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It occurs when the cells of the prostate gland begin to multiply. These additional cells cause your prostate gland to swell, which squeezes the urethra and limits urine flow.
Symptoms::
BPH symptoms are often very mild at first, but they become more serious if they aren’t treated. Common symptoms include:
- incomplete bladder emptying
- nocturia, which is the need to urinate two or more times per night
- dribbling at the end of your urinary stream
- incontinence, or leakage of urine
- straining when urinating
- a weak urinary stream
- a sudden urge to urinate
- a slowed or delayed urinary stream
- painful urination
- blood in the urine
Talk with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. They’re treatable, and treating them often can help prevent complications.
Treatment::
Treatment of BPH can begin with self-care and lifestyle adjustments. If symptoms don’t subside, medication or surgery may be recommended. Your age and general health will also influence the prescribed treatment.
Natural Treatment::
BPH is treated with medications that shrink the prostate and reduce urinary symptoms.
Drugs called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors to block testosterone conversion to a substance that contributes to benign prostate growth, called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). These drugs include dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar).
Drugs called alpha-blockers (selective alpha-1 antagonists) can help relax the prostate and bladder neck and improve urine flow. These drugs include doxazosin (Cardura), tamsulosin (Flomax), and terazosin (Hytrin).
Your doctor may prescribe one of these drugs or a combination of them.
If medications don’t help or your symptoms are severe, your urologist may recommend a less invasive procedure to destroy the extra prostate tissue and widen the urethra within the prostate. The procedure may use one of the following:
- heat with radiofrequency ablation
- microwave energy
- high-intensity ultrasound waves
- electric current vaporization
Surgery is a longer-term solution. The doctor uses a cutting wire loop or laser during BPH surgery to cut away the excess prostate tissue.
Natural treatment can include specific actions or lifestyle changes that you can make to help relieve your symptoms of BPH. These include:
- urinating as soon as you feel the urge
- going to the bathroom to urinate, even when you don’t feel the urge
- avoiding over-the-counter decongestants or antihistamine medications, which can make it harder for the bladder to empty
- avoiding alcohol and caffeine, especially in the hours after dinner
- reducing your stress level, as nervousness can increase the frequency of urination
- exercising regularly, as a lack of exercise can aggravate your symptoms
- learning and practicing Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles
- keeping warm, since being cold can make symptoms worse
Some people also include natural remedies in their treatment of BPH. However, there isn’t evidence that they’re effective.
Complications of BPH::
The symptoms of BPH can be easy to ignore. However, early treatment can help you avoid potentially dangerous complications. Call your doctor if you’re noticing symptoms of BPH.
People with a long-standing history of BPH may develop the following complications:
- urinary tract infections
- urinary stones
- kidney damage
- bleeding in the urinary tract
- a sudden inability to urinate
Sometimes, urinary obstruction from BPH is so severe that no urine can leave the bladder at all. This is called bladder outlet obstruction. It can be dangerous because urine trapped in the bladder can cause urinary tract infections and damage your kidneys.
When to See a Doctor::
The symptoms of BPH can be easy to ignore. However, early treatment can help you avoid potentially dangerous complications. Call your doctor if you’re noticing symptoms of BPH.
People with a long-standing history of BPH may develop the following complications:
- urinary tract infections
- urinary stones
- kidney damage
- bleeding in the urinary tract
- a sudden inability to urinate
Sometimes, urinary obstruction from BPH is so severe that no urine can leave the bladder at all. This is called bladder outlet obstruction. It can be dangerous because urine trapped in the bladder can cause urinary tract infections and damage your kidneys.
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