Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Causes and Treatment

Are you experiencing prostate gland enlargement? At CardioVascular Health Clinic, we diagnose and treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.  

Here’s a closer look at the condition, its causes, and our treatment options.

What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia — or prostate gland enlargement — is an uncomfortable, sometimes debilitating disorder often occurring as men age. The condition is the growth of excess prostate tissue, which can make urination difficult and cause troubling symptoms associated with the urinary system. Additionally, it can contribute to problems affecting the bladder, urethra, and kidneys.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is not an indication of cancer, nor does it create a heightened risk of prostate cancer.

What Causes Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?

The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that generates the fluid that supports the health of sperm. It is located underneath the bladder and around the upper urethra. Because the gland surrounds the urethra, it can affect urine flow if it becomes enlarged. 

Benign prostatic hyperplasia might result from age-related hormone fluctuations, though the exact cause isn't always clear. It is normal for the prostate to become bigger as a man ages. However, when it begins to inhibit urine flow, it might lead to medical complications and infections if untreated. 

Who Is at Risk of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia? 

Certain factors might increase your risk of benign prostate enlargement, including:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Family history of enlarged prostate

What Are the Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?

The degree of inconvenience or discomfort varies depending on when the condition has been allowed to progress.

 Benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms include:

• Need to urinate constantly or urgently
• Urination more frequently at night (nocturia)
• Inability to start urinating
• A weak or intermittent urine stream
• Dripping after urination
• Not being able to fully empty the bladder

Other, less frequently seen signs include the following symptoms:

• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Not being able to urinate
• Bloody urine

The prostate size will not automatically predict symptom intensity. Sometimes, men with marginally enlarged prostates can have severe discomfort, whereas those with severely enlarged prostates might not experience any symptoms.

Occasionally, the symptoms can diminish, though if you experience difficulty urinating, you should be evaluated by a physician.

While benign prostatic hyperplasia might cause numerous urinary symptoms, other disorders might cause similar signs. These include the following conditions:

• UTI
• Prostatitis (prostate inflammation due to infection)
• Narrowing urethra
• Kidney stones
• Prostate cancer

What Are Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treatment Options?

Effective benign prostatic hyperplasia treatments include medications, minimally invasive procedures, and surgical interventions. To determine the most appropriate treatment, your physician will evaluate your signs and symptoms, the degree of prostate enlargement, and coexisting conditions. Your lifestyle and personal preferences will also be factors in your treatment plan.

Mild benign prostatic hyperplasia can sometimes be managed with medication. Your doctor might recommend the following:

• Alpha-blockers. These cause the bladder and prostate to relax, making urination easier. 
• Dihydrotestosterone blockers. This class of medications suppresses the enzymes that convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that contributes to enlarged prostate and pattern hair loss.
• Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE). PAE is a non-surgical treatment that relieves benign prostatic hyperplasia urinary tract symptoms. This minimally invasive procedure uses a small catheter to limit the blood supply to the prostate, causing it to shrink. Recovery time is typically between one and two days.
  • At CardioVascular Health Clinic, the PAE procedure is performed by the board-certified interventional radiologist Dr. Blake Parsons. Currently, he’s the only provider in the state of Oklahoma performing PAE.
• Tadalafil. Known under the brand name Cialis, this medication is used to treat benign prostatic enlargement, erectile dysfunction, and, less commonly, pulmonary hypertension. This treatment facilitated easier urination while avoiding many of the sexual side effects caused by other medications. 

Moderate-to-advanced benign prostatic hyperplasia that isn’t improved with medications might be more effectively addressed with surgical interventions. These include the following procedures: 

• Transurethral incision of the prostate. This intervention is recommended for patients with moderately enlarged prostates. It involves inserting a scope into the urethra and creating small incisions into the prostate gland to release pressure on the urethra and ease urine flow.
• Transurethral resection of the prostate. This procedure involves the insertion of a narrow scope into the urethra to extract the inner portion of the prostate gland. 
• Laser therapy. Laser therapy uses concentrated laser energy to vaporize excessive prostate tissue.

If you have concerns about your health or would like to talk to someone about benign prostatic hyperplasia, please don’t hesitate to contact the dedicated team at CardioVascular Health Clinic for a complete evaluation today.