What is BPH?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the name given to enlargement of the prostate gland. This enlargement is believed to be caused by the effects of male sex hormones. Forty per cent of men aged over 70 years experience problems because of their BPH (see box opposite). Some men begin to have difficulty in passing water, because the enlarged prostate gland squashes the tube leading from the bladder. This causes the tube to narrow, obstructing urine flow from the body. Your doctor will check your symptoms and examine you to check the size of your prostate and may carry out a blood test.

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What is the prostate gland?

The prostate is a small gland found in men at the base of the bladder. It is about the size of a chestnut and sits around the tube through which urine passes from the bladder when you pass water.
The role of the prostate is not understood fully. It is believed to assist in the production of semen.

Who gets BPH?

One in three men over the age of 50 years are thought to suffer some problems in passing water as a result of BPH. Most men do not consult their doctor because they do not find their symptoms troublesome or because they do not realise help is available.

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Is BPH a type of cancer?

BPH is not a type of cancer. Some of the symptoms of BPH and prostate cancer are similar, but having BPH does not mean that you have cancer of the prostate or that you will develop this type of cancer later on. However, should you notice blood in your urine or semen, you should always tell your doctor about this.

Can BPH be treated?

If symptoms of BPH are interfering with your life, there are several effective drugs your doctor can prescribe to try to improve them. One type of drug relaxes the muscle in the tube leading out of the bladder, opening up the tube and letting urine flow out more easily. This type of medicine works within weeks. Another type of drug blocks the effects of the male sex hormone and very slowly causes the prostate gland to shrink, improving symptoms.
Some men with BPH suddenly find they are completely unable to empty their bladder, even though they feel they want to pass water. If this happens, you may need to go to hospital so that a catheter or tube can be inserted into your bladder to let the urine flow out. You may need drug treatment or an operation to relieve the blockage.
The most common operation for BPH is a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURF). Under anaesthetic, an instrument is passed up the tube towards the bladder and part of the prostate gland is removed from the inside.

Will BPH affect my sex life?

There is no reason why you should not continue having sex because BPH is unlikely to affect your sex drive. However, if you do experience problems, you should always see your doctor.

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Possible symptoms of BPH

• Having to rush to the toilet.
• Difficulty in starting to urinate.
• A weak stream of urine.
• Stopping and starting urinating.
• Dribbling on underwear
• Discomfort when urinating.
• Urinary incontinence.
• Having to urinate more often.
• Feeling that your bladder has not emptied properly.
• Having to get up several times at night to urinate.
• Sudden inability to urinate.

Help yourself

• Try to lead as normal a life as possible.
• If you need to go to the toilet often, don't drink before going to bed, an important meeting or event, or travelling.
• When going to a new place or travelling, try to locate where the toilets are as soon as you can, in case you need them quickly.
• Keep a note of the number of times you have to go to the toilet, especially how often you have to get up during the night to pass water, in case your doctor asks for this information.
• Take all medicines exactly as directed by your doctor and do not share them with anyone else.

This factsheet supported by YAMANOUCHI & LOREX SYNTHELABO

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