Overview
Often referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or benign prostatic hypertrophy, an Enlarged Prostate is a normal process of aging and happens to a large number of men worldwide. As the prostate grows over time, it eventually begins to press against the urethra resulting in urination and bladder complications. An Enlarged Prostate is not cancer and does not raise a man’s risk at getting cancer whatsoever.

Symptoms
All of the main symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate deal with urinary difficulties. For some men, a weakened urine stream, difficulty urinating, or a complete inability to urinate are telltale signs of an Enlarged Prostate. Other signs include a delayed start of urination, dribbling at the end, excessive night urination, or an intense and abrupt need to urinate. A wide variety of symptoms exist and your physician will need this information to provide an appropriate treatment.

Causes and Risk Factors
Although the actual cause of an Enlarged Prostate remains unknown, it is widely believed that aging is the main factor and the testicles may aid in the enlargement as well. This theory is based on the fact that men who had their testicles removed at an early age show no signs of an Enlarged Prostate and if they’re removed after being diagnosed the prostate actually reduces in size. There are no known risk factors and it is a common belief that all men will experience an Enlarged Prostate if they live to a certain age.

Diagnosis
There are a number of tests your physician can run to determine if you are in fact suffering from an Enlarged Prostate. The main one, however, is a digital rectal exam to examine your prostate. Other examinations may include a urinalysis, pressure flow study, urine flow rate, cytoscopy, or a post-void residual urine test. Your individual symptoms and complications will ultimately determine which tests your physician will perform.

Treatment
Depending on the outcome of your diagnosis, your individual treatment can range from simple lifestyle changes, a variety of medications, or surgery. For men with minor symptoms, avoidance of alcohol and caffeine combined with regular exercise is one approach. Those in need of medication may be prescribed Alpha-1 blockers, finasteride, dutasteride, and antibiotics. Surgery is only recommended to treat severe effects such as incontinence, continued blood in the urine, kidney failure, bladder stones, and urinary tract infections.