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Information From Your Health Care Provider PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA, BENIGN
BASIC INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Enlargement of the prostate gland. The prostate is about the size of a walnut and is located just below
the urinary bladder in men. An enlarged prostate presses against the urethra (tube that carries urine
outside) making it narrower. The bladder muscle becomes thicker and more sensitive, causing a need
to urinate more often. BPH occurs more often in men over age 50.
FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Increased urinary urgency and frequency, especially at night.
Stopping and starting again while urinating.
Straining and dribbling during urination.
Feeling that the bladder cannot be emptied completely.
Leaking of urine and sometimes blood in the urine.
CAUSES
Exact cause unknown. It is common for the prostate to enlarge as a man ages.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Aging.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
No specific prevention measures are known.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Symptoms may improve, worsen, or stay the same. A variety of treatments are available that can help
to relieve the symptoms.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT
GENERAL MEASURES
Your health care provider will do a digital rectal exam (DRE). During a DRE, a gloved, lubricated finger is inserted into the rectum to feel the prostate gland's size and to check for lumps. Blood levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) will be checked. Other medical tests may include urine flow rate study, urinalysis, urine culture, X-ray of the urinary tract, and ultrasound.
A question and answer interview is done about your symptoms. This can help in making treatment decisions. After treatment, it provides a good idea of how much the symptoms have improved.
Treatment may include nonsurgical treatment, surgery, or drugs. Emergency treatment may be needed if all urine output is blocked.
Watchful waiting is an option. This means monitoring the symptoms for a time before deciding on treatment.
Several types of nonsurgical procedures are available. They include balloon dilation, prostatic stents, microwave therapy, needle ablation using radiofrequency, electrovaporization, and laser therapy. Your health care provider will explain and discuss these options.
Surgery may be recommended if there are more severe symptoms, complications occur, or there is a health risk. Several surgical options are available.
The choice usually depends upon the size of the enlarged prostate. Surgery removes the enlarged part of the prostate. The rest is left intact.
MEDICATIONS
Finasteride or dutasteride may be prescribed. They cause the prostate to shrink.
Alpha-adrenergic blockers may be prescribed. They help relax the muscles in the prostate.
Antibiotics may be prescribed if you develop a urinary-tract infection.
Read labels on all nonprescription drugs. Avoid those that state "not recommended if you have prostatic hypertrophy". Examples are antidiarrheals and ACTIVITY
No limits on activities.
DIET
No special diet. Avoid spicy foods and pepper, which irritate the urethra.
NOTIFY OUR OFFICE IF
You or a family member has symptoms of BPH.
During treatment, any sign of urinary-tract infection occurs. This includes frequent, difficult, or painful urination, fever and chills, aching around the New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
Any symptoms develop following surgery.

Source: http://www.wadsworthfamilymedicine.com/pdfs/Seniors/Handouts/Prostatic%20Hyperplasia%20-%20Benign.pdf