What Is Benign Prostate Enlargement?

What is benign prostate enlargement, and what are the main symptoms of this condition? Mr Mark Lynch, consultant urological surgeon, at Shirley Oaks Hospitals shares his expert knowledge and advice on treating benign prostate enlargement. He answers some of your most commonly asked questions about this common condition, including its key causes and how to get the right treatment that works for you. Immediate links: For more information about benign prostate enlargement, browse: https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/treatments/benign-prostate-disease https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/health-matters/mens-health/benign-prostate-enlargement https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/treatments/turp What is benign prostate enlargement? First things first, benign prostate enlargement, or BPE, is a common medical condition that affects you as you get older. It refers to the non-cancerous growth of your prostate gland, which is a walnut-sized gland located below your bladder and surrounding your urethra – the tube that carries urine from your bladder out of your body. This enlargement can lead to a variety of urinary symptoms and problems because the enlarged prostate puts pressure on your urethra, partially blocking your urine flow. Can benign prostate enlargement lead to cancer? No, benign prostate enlargement itself doesn't directly lead to cancer. While both BPE and prostate cancer can have similar symptoms, having BPE doesn't increase your chances of getting prostate cancer in the future. They are separate conditions that can occur at the same time, but one doesn't cause the other. What are the most common treatment options for benign prostate enlargement? These options vary depending on the severity of your symptoms and the impact they have on your quality of life. If the symptoms of BPE are mild, your doctor may recommend a conservative approach. This means regular monitoring of your condition without immediate treatment. Certain lifestyle modifications can help manage mild symptoms. These include reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, especially in the evening, limiting fluid intake before bedtime, bladder training exercises, and regular physical activity. There are several medications available to treat BPE symptoms, including Alpha-blockers to relax the muscles around the prostate and bladder neck to improve urine flow, and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors to shrink your prostate over time. Sometimes, both alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are prescribed together. For moderate to severe symptoms that don't respond well to medications, your doctor may recommend procedures, such as Transurethral Resection of the Prostate, which is a surgical procedure to remove excess prostate tissue. Various laser-based procedures can also be used to vaporise or remove prostate tissue. In more severe cases, other surgeries may be necessary to remove part of your prostate. This can include a Millins Prostatectomy. Your doctor will ensure you have the best treatment option for you. If you have symptoms of benign prostate enlargement and would like help, you can book an appointment with a urologist to begin your treatment journey. Leave a comment below if you’d like more expert videos from consultants about treatment for prostate problems. Further Links –  Mr Mark Lynch is a consultant urological surgeon at Shirley Oaks Hospital in Croydon: https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/hospitals/shirley-oaks-hospital https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/consultants/mark-lynch Hashtags - #benignprostatenlargement #prostateproblems enlargedprostatetreatment