Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can be a disruptive condition, but with the right care and fluid treatment, most men can manage their symptoms and live comfortably with an enlarged prostate. There is no need to suffer the effects of BPH. Our team will work with you to identify the best treatment options to help you return to your normal life. If the symptoms of an enlarged prostate are mild and not bothersome, treatment may not be necessary.
In some cases, one third of men with mild BPH find that their symptoms disappear without any treatment. This is known as watchful waiting. The severity of the symptoms and need for treatment depend on each man's individual case of BPH. Treatment options for prostate enlargement include watchful waiting, medication, minimally invasive procedures, and surgery.
Prostate enlargement, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common condition among men. To help your doctor understand how bothersome the symptoms of an enlarged prostate are for you, the American Urological Association (AUA) has developed a BPH symptom index. This index helps your doctor determine the best course of action for your individual case. The AUA symptom index is a simple questionnaire that assesses how much your enlarged prostate is affecting your daily life. It includes questions about how often you have difficulty starting urination, how often you have to urinate at night, and how often you feel that your bladder has not emptied completely after urinating.
Your doctor will use this information to determine if you need treatment or if watchful waiting is the best option. If your doctor decides that treatment is necessary, there are several options available. Medication is often the first line of defense against BPH symptoms. Alpha-blockers relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors reduce the size of the prostate by blocking the production of hormones that cause it to grow. Minimally invasive procedures are also available for treating BPH symptoms.
These procedures use heat or energy to shrink or remove part of the prostate gland. The most common minimally invasive procedure is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). This procedure involves inserting a small tube into the urethra and using an electrical current to remove part of the prostate gland. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat an enlarged prostate. The most common type of surgery is open prostatectomy, which involves making an incision in the abdomen and removing part or all of the prostate gland.
This procedure is usually reserved for more severe cases of BPH. Living with an enlarged prostate doesn't have to be difficult. With proper care and treatment, most men can manage their symptoms and live comfortably with BPH.
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