Prostate Enlargement: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

When the prostate gland becomes enlarged and is not cancerous, it develops a condition called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (prostate enlargement). As men age, the prostate will go through two different growth periods- in puberty (when the prostate doubles in size) and around the age of 25, when the prostate starts growing. Benign prostatic hyperplasia occurs during the second phase of prostate “growth.” This is why it is so essential to regularly see a urologist manhattan for prostate checkups to ensure everything is in order.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia typically occurs in older men because as men age, testosterone levels keep decreasing, so there will be a higher estrogen level available. According to research, men develop benign prostatic hyperplasia because of the higher levels of estrogen in the prostate, which increase the activity of prostate cell growth. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the most common in men aged 50+. Other factors that may lead to the condition include family history, obesity, type 2 diabetes, circulatory problems, erectile dysfunction, and the lack of physical activity.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia main symptoms:

• Increased urinary frequency (8+ times per day)
• Troubles with starting the stream of urine & the inability to delay the urination
• Weak urine stream
• Urinary retention
• Incontinence
• A sensation of pain immediately after ejaculating or after urinating
• An interrupted urine stream

If you struggle with these symptoms, it is essential to see a urologist manhattan to get the correct diagnosis. Your doctor will typically perform different exams to make the proper diagnosis. These include a urinalysis, a PSA blood test, urodynamic tests, transrectal ultrasound, or a cystoscopy. There are many treatment options available for benign prostatic hyperplasia, including lifestyle changes, minimally invasive procedures, medications, and surgery if nothing else works. Doctors will treat the condition based on the severity of the signs and symptoms and on how these symptoms directly affect the patient’s daily life. When the medications prove ineffective, minimally invasive procedures such as transurethral needle ablation, stent insertion, or water-induced thermotherapy may prove more efficient.