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The prostate is a gland that produces some of the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine passes out of the body.

An enlarged prostate means the gland has grown bigger and happens to almost all men as they get older.

An enlarged prostate is often called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is not cancer, and it does not raise your risk for prostate cancer.

Causes

The actual cause of prostate enlargement is unknown.

However, its associated factors include:

  1.  Aging: usually men older than 40 years
  2. Changes in the cells of the testicles
  3. Testosterone hormone levels.

Men who have had their testicles removed at a young age (for example, as a result of testicular cancer) do not develop BPH.

Also, if the testicles are removed after a man develops BPH, the prostate begins to shrink in size. However, this is not a standard treatment for an enlarged prostate.

Know some facts about prostate enlargement:

  1. The likelihood of developing an enlarged prostate increases with age.
  2. BPH is so common that it has been said all men will have an enlarged prostate if they live long enough.
  3. A small amount of prostate enlargement is present in many men over age 40. More than 90% of men over age 80 have the condition.
  4. No risk factors have been identified, other than having normally-functioning testicles.

Symptoms

  1. Dribbling at the end of urinating
  2. Inability to urinate (urinary retention)
  3. Incomplete emptying of your bladder
  4. Incontinence: urine continuously keeps coming
  5. Unexplained need to urinate 2 or more times at night
  6. Pain with urination or bloody urine (these may indicate infection)
  7. Slowed or delayed start of the urinary stream( urinary hesitancy)
  8. Straining to urinate
  9. Strong and sudden urge to urinate
  10. Weak urine stream

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider right away if you have:

  1. Less urine than usual
  2. Fever or chills
  3. Back, side, or abdominal pain
  4. Blood or pus in your urine
  5. Your bladder does not feel completely empty after you urinate.

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