What Is BPH?
As men age, it is very common for their prostate to continue growing larger, which will often cause issues between age 50 and 60, and beyond. An enlarged prostate is medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. This condition describes a prostate that has grown large enough to exceed its natural boundaries and begin to push down on the urethra. The normal prostate is roughly the size of a walnut. Some prostates, which will begin to grow at age 30 in a man, can grow to the size of a grapefruit. Benign prostate growth is a distinctly different disease process than prostate cancer.
Some men will have significant symptoms with small prostate growth, and some may have relatively few symptoms even if their prostate grows to be very enlarged. Not all men will experience symptoms as their prostate grows.
The board-certified urologists and men’s health specialists at Covenant Urology Group provide testing and treatment for BPH in Lubbock, TX. Learn more and call (806) 725-8787 to schedule your appointment today!
Common Symptoms of BPH
When the prostate becomes enlarged it can block urine flow from the bladder. The added pressure on the urethra along with this may cause urinary symptoms to occur such as:
- A frequent and powerful urge to urinate, especially at night
- Straining during urination
- Accidental release of urine (urinary incontinence)
- A weak stream of urine
- Trouble starting to urinate
- Stopping and starting the flow of urine several times when urinating
- A constant feeling of fullness in the bladder
- Presence of blood in the urine
- Recurring urinary tract infections
To contact Covenant Urology Group about your urinary discomfort, please call (806) 725-8787 for an appointment right away. In extreme circumstances, the urethra can become totally blocked, which will cause severe complications if not treated as soon as possible.
Is BPH preventable?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent prostate enlargement. However, maintaining healthy weight, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and regular exercise may help prevent prostatic enlargement. Patients often ask if there are supplements or medications they can take to prevent prostate growth. Unfortunately there are no supplements that will stop the prostate from growing.
A Variety of Treatment Options
For many years a transurethral resection of the prostate has been the standard for treating issues of an enlarged prostate. While this surgery is still very suitable for this purpose, advanced technologies have made it possible for less invasive options to become just as effective.
How is BPH treated?
There are several different ways to treat BPH. A person’s fluid intake can be a factor in BPH. A normal amount of fluid intake is about 8 to 10 cups of water a day, 1 -2 cups of coffee in the morning and 1 alcoholic beverage at night. Patients who do not meet these fluid requirements may also have urinary symptoms.
Medical treatment may include medications such as tamsulosin, alfuzosin, doxazosin, silodosin and terazosin. These are medications known as alpha blockers. These help to relax the prostate and bladder neck muscles which allows the urine to pass with ease. Another form of medication is termed 5A reductase inhibitor. This class of medication includes finasteride and dutasteride. These medications help to reduce the size of a prostate and therefore allow a larger channel for urine to pass. A combination of these medications is sometimes used. Tadalafil is another medication that can help with relaxation of the bladder neck. It is also used to help with erectile function.
If a patient continues to have urinary symptoms despite fluid modifications in medical treatment, surgical therapy may be required. Fortunately, we live in an era where technology has allowed for several forms of surgical therapy to be available.
Minimally invasive surgical therapy (MIST):
The goal of prostate surgical therapy is to alleviate urinary symptoms while preserving sexual function. There are several minimally invasive surgical therapeutic options available that allow us to meet this goal. Currently available minimally invasive surgical therapeutic options include:
- UroLift
- Transurethral microwave ablation of the prostate
- Rezum
Based on prostate size and urinary symptoms you may ask your surgeon which option is the best for you.
UroLift
The UroLift® System has become a popular choice among many talented urologists for treating BPH in a way that limits potential complications and patient discomfort. During this procedure, implants will be placed to hold the prostate aside and allow the urethra to remain open and pass urine freely from the bladder.
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
A transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a surgical procedure used to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate. This surgery is incredibly effective at relieving symptoms for men that have not had success with medications prescribed to treat their moderate to severe urinary issues.
Surgical therapy:
In some men, the prostate is too large to undergo minimally invasive surgical therapy. There may also be anatomic features such as a median lobe of the prostate that make minimally invasive surgical therapy ineffective. For these men surgical options include:
- Transurethral incision of the prostate
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
- Transurethral waterjet ablation – Aqua Ablation – https://aquablation.com
- Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HOLeP)
- Simple prostatectomy – Open or Robot assisted
What to expect after surgical therapy of the prostate?
For men who undergo minimally invasive surgical therapy of the prostate, there is oftentimes no catheter and therefore no catheter care. These men will often have increased urinary frequency, urgency and urinary discomfort for two to three weeks following the procedure. Often there will be blood in the urine for several days to several weeks.
For men who undergo surgical therapy there is often a catheter placed to allow for healing of the urinary tract. There may be blood in the urine, urinary frequency and urgency as well as some pelvic discomfort for a several days two weeks. In all men, increased hydration and rest are highly encouraged. Make sure to follow your surgeons’ instructions regardless of procedure.
Why BPH Treatment Is Important
Many men will continue to muddle through their symptoms and adjust their life accordingly. This often means taking more bathroom breaks, especially all throughout the night.
Not only does this ruin your chances of getting a good night’s rest, but it can also have negative effects on your overall health since BPH can quickly lead to a bladder infection or kidney damage. BPH can also impair your overall quality of life, as you will likely miss many moments while running back and forth to the bathroom.
The best way to take full advantage of your life is to discuss your symptoms with your urologist to determine which course of treatment will be best for you and your unique case of BPH.
Schedule Your BPH Consultation with Covenant Urology Group
Covenant Urology Group provides comprehensive testing and treatment for BPH at our office in Lubbock, Texas. Call our office today at (806)725-8787 to schedule your consultation today!