Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)

What is benign prostate hyperplasia?

BPH normally happens with increasing age and is very common in men from the age of 50. In some men, it can cause symptoms that affect their quality of life, although not everyone is affected in this way.

BPH is not the same as cancer and having an enlarged prostate does not increase the risk of prostate cancer. However, prostate cancer can lead to similar symptoms to BPH. 

If you are experiencing symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice so that doctors can identify the cause and you can receive appropriate treatment.

If you have BPH, London Urologica offers first-class treatment options in the state-of-the-art facilities. An expert multidisciplinary team will support you from your first consultation, during your treatment and throughout your recovery. 

Causes

The prostate is a small gland that is only found in men. The prostate sits just below the bladder and produces a fluid that is part of semen. 

Benign prostate enlargement is increasingly likely as men age. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it is thought to be linked to hormonal changes that are a part of ageing.

As the prostate enlarges, it puts pressure on the urethra – the tube through which urine leaves the bladder. This can lead to symptoms affecting the flow of urine.

Symptoms

BPH can cause symptoms affecting the flow of your urine. These may include:

•    A weaker flow of urine
•    Difficulty starting urinating
•    Needing to urinate urgently or frequently, including at night
•    Leaking urine
•    Straining to urinate or stop-start urinating
•    Urge incontinence (needing to urinate urgently and before you can reach a toilet) 
•    Stress incontinence (needing to urinate when you strain for example as a result of coughing, sneezing or lifting heavy objects)

If untreated, BPH can increase your risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI). BPH can also lead to acute urinary retention (AUR), where you are unable to pass urine. 

This may be accompanied by pain and swelling in the pelvic area. If you experience these symptoms, you should attend your nearest A&E for advice.

Diagnosis

At London Urologica, our expert urologists offer full diagnostic services for urinary symptoms. 

BPH is very common in men from the age of 50, but it is important to confirm the cause of any symptoms to ensure you receive appropriate treatment. Diagnosis may involve a physical examination including digital rectal examination (DRE), blood tests including a PSA test and urine tests. 

To help assess your bladder function, you may be asked to keep a record of the volume you drink and the volume you urinate over a 24-hour period, as well as a symptom diary. 

You may also be advised to have an ultrasound scan or cystoscopy. Our doctors will also review any other medications you are taking to assess if they could be affecting your symptoms.

Treatments

At London Urologica, we offer a range of treatment options for BPH. If your symptoms are mild, you may not need treatment initially. 

Our team of experts will be able to advise you on lifestyle changes that can help you manage your condition, such as adjusting what you drink and the pattern of your fluid intake.

If your symptoms worsen or are affecting your daily activities, you may be able to take medication. 

This could include drug treatments that relax the muscles of the bladder, or drugs that shrink the prostate. For more severe symptoms that do not respond to medication, you may wish to consider surgery. 

At London Urologica we offer a range of minimally-invasive surgical options, including Aquablation therapy, prostate artery embolization, Urolift and TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate gland).

We also offer innovative treatments for such as iTIND, where a temporary implant is inserted on the urethra to improve symptoms, and REZUM, which uses heat energy to shrink the prostate gland.