Symptoms and Causes

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Symptoms

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can cause a number of urinary symptoms that significantly affect quality of life. As the prostate increases in size, it puts pressure on the urethra, making it difficult for urine to pass and disrupting normal bladder function.

Symptoms may vary in intensity and progress over time. In general, they are divided into two groups:

Obstructive symptoms

• Difficulty initiating urination.
• Weak or intermittent urine flow.
• Sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
• Shortness of urination.
• Post-mycotic drip.

Irritative symptoms

• Increased urinary frequency, especially at night (nocturia)
• Urgency or urgency to urinate.
• Burning sensation or discomfort when urinating.

Urinary symptoms may be due to different causes. One of the most common is benign prostatic hyperplasia but it is necessary to rule out others such as narrowing of the urinary tract (urethral stricture), bladder tumor, bladder stones, urinary tract infections, etc. Therefore, it is important to see a urologist in case of any change in the urinary pattern.

Causes of benign prostatic hyperplasia

The exact cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is unknown, but it is believed to be related to hormonal changes that occur with aging. The following are some factors that may contribute to the development of this condition:

1. Hormonal changes: as men age, testosterone levels decrease while estrogen levels may remain the same or even increase, which could contribute to prostate growth.
2. Genetic factors: Genetic predisposition may play a role in the development of prostatic hypertrophy. If there is a family history of prostate problems, a man is more likely to develop this condition.
3. Age: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is uncommon in men younger than 40 years, but its prevalence increases significantly with age. From the age of 60 onwards, about half of all men have symptoms of prostatic enlargement, and this figure rises to about 90% by the age of 85.
4. Lifestyle factors: Obesity, lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet can increase the risk of BPH. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce this risk.