Benign prostatic hyperplasia Dr Rob Hicks Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the name given to enlargement of the prostate gland. It isn't cancerous or associated with prostate cancer, but the cause remains unknown.

In this article

What are the symptoms?

Who's affected?

What's the treatment?

Enlargement of the prostate gland can obstruct the normal flow of urine, which may cause:

• Increased frequency and urgency of need to pass water
• Having to get up more often in the night to go to the toilet
• Difficulty starting to pass water
• A weak urine stream
• Stopping and starting when urinating
• Dribbling at the end of passing urine
• Feeling that the bladder isn't completely empty
• Urine incontinence

If the bladder doesn't empty completely it may enlarge, making the abdomen visibly swollen. Urine infections are more likely, as are bladder stones.

In rare cases, urine retention can damage the kidneys. If the flow of urine is blocked completely, painful urinary retention develops, which requires emergency treatment.

BPH is one of the most common diseases to affect men over 40 and can run in families. Unfortunately, it's not possible to prevent the prostate gland from increasing in size with age.

The symptoms can be eased by avoiding caffeine in drinks, not drinking late into the evening and cutting down on alcohol

The symptoms can be eased by avoiding caffeine in drinks, not drinking late into the evening and cutting down on alcohol. Some men benefit from the herb Saw palmetto.

Medical treatments can improve urine flow by reducing the size of the prostate (5-alpha-reductase inhibitors) or relaxing the muscles at the neck of the bladder and in the prostate (alpha-blockers).

Surgical treatment can remove part of the prostate gland through the urethra (transurethral resection of the prostate or TURP). If the prostate is very large, a larger part may be removed through the abdomen.

Laser treatment is sometimes used to remove part of the prostate.

When surgery isn't advisable because of poor health, a catheter may be left in permanently to enable the urine to drain.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in November 2007