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BPH symptoms

What is benign prostatic hyperplasia?

BPH is a condition that occurs in men when their prostate becomes enlarged. Prostate enlargement puts pressure on the bladder and the urethra (the tube the urine passes through). This can cause difficulties with urination¹.

Prostate Enlargement

An enlarged prostate is not only common, it is a normal part of the ageing process, affecting over 60% of men over the age of 60¹.

BPH Symptoms

There are two types of symptoms of prostate enlargement:

1. Obstructive symptoms:
• Difficulty with starting urination
• Poor flow (stopping and starting)
• A need to strain to empty the bladder

2. Irritative symptoms - caused by the obstruction, these symptoms include:
• Greater frequency in urinating
• Waking up to urinate in the night²
• Urge incontinence - an urgent desire to urinate without warning causing incontinence if the individual does not reach the toilet in time

If left untreated BPH can also cause blood in the urine (known as haematuria); an inability to urinate at all (urine retention); bladder stones; bladder infections; and in severe cases kidney damage².

Mr Christopher Eden
Consultant Urologist

References:
1. NHS Choices – Prostate Enlargement. Date last updated: 13.07.2011. Website:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/Prostate-enlargement/Pages/Introduction.aspx
2. NHS Choices – Prostate Enlargement symptoms. Date last updated: 13.07.2011. Website:
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Prostate-enlargement/Pages/Symptoms.aspx