Information
BPH stands for benign prostatic hyperplasia, or an enlarged prostate. It is not cancer. It is simply something most men will have to deal with at some point in their lives. You cannot simply say NO to BPH. But you can say NO to symptoms such as waking up at night to urinate, a sudden and urgent need to use the toilet, or a weak urine stream. If left untreated, BPH can lead to more serious problems with urination, the bladder and the kidneys. An enlarged prostate may be a fact of life, but it is not something you simply have to put up with.
An enlarged prostate can press on the urethra, reducing the flow of urine from the bladder and, in some cases, causing a complete urinary obstruction.
BPH affects:
- 50% of men by the age of 60
- 70% of men over 60
- 90% of men over 85
Most common symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia
- frequent urination
- intermittent urine flow
- an urgent need to urinate
- a weak urine stream
- difficulty urinating
- frequent trips to the toilet at night