Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)

• What is it?
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Risk Factors
• Treatments

What is BPH

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a very common condition resulting in prostate enlargement in men. By the age of 80, over 80% of men may be affected. An enlarged prostate however does not automatically mean that urinary symptoms will occur, or that the enlargement is the cause of LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms). It is vital to distinguish LUTS caused by an enlarged prostate and obstructing the bladder from LUTS that are a normal part of ageing. Both men and women increasingly get (LUTS) as they age.

Note: BPH is also referred as any of the following:

• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
• Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)
• Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPE)

Anatomy

The lower urinary tract consists of the bladder and the urethra. The prostate surrounds the neck of the bladder at the upper end of the urethra (see diagram). Diagram showing the bladder, urethra and the prostate

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