[h=1]Prostate problems[/h]The prostate is a small, but important gland (organ) in the male reproductive system. The main role of the prostate is to make fluid that protects and feeds sperm. The prostate makes about one third of the fluid that is ejaculated (released) from the penis at orgasm (sexual climax).
In young men, the prostate is about the size of a walnut (20g) and it gets bigger as a man get older. It sits underneath the bladder and surrounds the top part of the urethra. Urine passes through the urethra on its way from the bladder to the penis.
The growth of the prostate relies on testosterone (male sex hormone). If the prostate grows too large, it can slow or stop the flow of urine.
As the prostate is located near the rectum (back passage), growth of the prostate can be checked by a rectal examination where a doctor places a gloved finger into the rectum.
Prostate problems include:
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[h=2]Where is the prostate?[/h]In young men the prostate is about the size of a walnut, but it gets bigger with age. The prostate sits underneath the bladder, and surrounds the top part of the urethra. Urine passes through the urethra on its way from the bladder to the penis.
[h=2]How does the prostate gland change with age?[/h]The male sex hormone testosterone makes the prostate grow in size. As men get older, the prostate grows larger. At puberty, testosterone levels in boys start to increase and the prostate grows to about eight times its size. It continues to grow, doubling in size between the ages of 21 and 50 years, and almost doubles again in size between the ages of 50 and 80 years. The reasons for this ongoing growth are not fully understood.
[h=2]What is BPH?[/h]BPH refers to benign prostatic hyperplasia (increase in the number of cells) or hypertrophy (increase in size of cells).
BPH is a benign (non-cancerous) enlargement or growth of the prostate gland. As the prostate surrounds the top part of the urethra, enlargement of the prostate makes the urethra narrower and puts pressure on the base of the bladder. Narrowing of the urethra can affect the passing of urine in a number of ways.
BPH is not usually life-threatening but symptoms can have a major effect on quality of life.
[h=2]How common is BPH?[/h]BPH is the most common prostate disease. BPH usually starts after the age of 40 years and is more common in older men; it affects nearly all men at some time in their lives. Some men do not have any symptoms even though their prostate has grown larger. BPH usually becomes more of a problem over time, with symptoms getting worse if they are not treated.
[h=2]What causes BPH?[/h]The causes of BPH are not well understood. Some research shows that there may be genetic links, as sons of men diagnosed with BPH are more likely to develop prostate disease.
Older age and the male sex hormone testosterone are linked with BPH but may not be the cause. It is known that BPH only happens when testosterone, which is made in the testes, is present.
[h=2]What are the symptoms of BPH?[/h]A number of men with BPH do not have many or any symptoms. The men who do have symptoms of BPH usually notice changes to their urination because BPH affects the part of the prostate that surrounds the top part of the urethra.
LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms) is a common term used to describe a range of urinary symptoms. LUTS linked to BPH can be obstructive or irritative, but other symptoms may also happen.
Obstructive symptoms include a delay or straining when starting to urinate, and slow or dribbling flow of urine. Irritative symptoms include urgent or frequent urination during the day and night.
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In young men, the prostate is about the size of a walnut (20g) and it gets bigger as a man get older. It sits underneath the bladder and surrounds the top part of the urethra. Urine passes through the urethra on its way from the bladder to the penis.
The growth of the prostate relies on testosterone (male sex hormone). If the prostate grows too large, it can slow or stop the flow of urine.
As the prostate is located near the rectum (back passage), growth of the prostate can be checked by a rectal examination where a doctor places a gloved finger into the rectum.
Prostate problems include:
- benign prostatic hyperplasia (also known as BPH or prostate enlargement)
- prostatitis
- prostate cancer.
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- What is the prostate?
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[h=2]Where is the prostate?[/h]In young men the prostate is about the size of a walnut, but it gets bigger with age. The prostate sits underneath the bladder, and surrounds the top part of the urethra. Urine passes through the urethra on its way from the bladder to the penis.
[h=2]How does the prostate gland change with age?[/h]The male sex hormone testosterone makes the prostate grow in size. As men get older, the prostate grows larger. At puberty, testosterone levels in boys start to increase and the prostate grows to about eight times its size. It continues to grow, doubling in size between the ages of 21 and 50 years, and almost doubles again in size between the ages of 50 and 80 years. The reasons for this ongoing growth are not fully understood.
[h=2]What is BPH?[/h]BPH refers to benign prostatic hyperplasia (increase in the number of cells) or hypertrophy (increase in size of cells).
BPH is a benign (non-cancerous) enlargement or growth of the prostate gland. As the prostate surrounds the top part of the urethra, enlargement of the prostate makes the urethra narrower and puts pressure on the base of the bladder. Narrowing of the urethra can affect the passing of urine in a number of ways.
BPH is not usually life-threatening but symptoms can have a major effect on quality of life.
[h=2]How common is BPH?[/h]BPH is the most common prostate disease. BPH usually starts after the age of 40 years and is more common in older men; it affects nearly all men at some time in their lives. Some men do not have any symptoms even though their prostate has grown larger. BPH usually becomes more of a problem over time, with symptoms getting worse if they are not treated.
[h=2]What causes BPH?[/h]The causes of BPH are not well understood. Some research shows that there may be genetic links, as sons of men diagnosed with BPH are more likely to develop prostate disease.
Older age and the male sex hormone testosterone are linked with BPH but may not be the cause. It is known that BPH only happens when testosterone, which is made in the testes, is present.
[h=2]What are the symptoms of BPH?[/h]A number of men with BPH do not have many or any symptoms. The men who do have symptoms of BPH usually notice changes to their urination because BPH affects the part of the prostate that surrounds the top part of the urethra.
LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms) is a common term used to describe a range of urinary symptoms. LUTS linked to BPH can be obstructive or irritative, but other symptoms may also happen.
Obstructive symptoms include a delay or straining when starting to urinate, and slow or dribbling flow of urine. Irritative symptoms include urgent or frequent urination during the day and night.
| Lower urinary tract symptoms - voiding or obstructive • Hesitancy - a longer than usual wait for the stream of urine to begin • Weak and poorly directed stream of urine • Straining to urinate • Dribbling after urination has finished or an irregular stream • Urinary retention - not all the urine is passed from the bladder causing a need to urinate more often • Overflow or paradoxical incontinence - urine overflows from a full bladder uncontrollably even though normal urination cannot be started |
| Lower urinary tract symptoms - storage or irritative • Urgency - an urgent feeling of needing to urinate • Frequency - a short time between needing to urinate • Nocturia - a need to pass urine more than twice at night. |
| Other symptoms • Perineal pain - pain in the perineum (the area between the scrotum and the anus) • Dysuria - painful urination • Haematuria - blood in the urine. |
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