BPH Understanding

BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia) is an enlargement of the prostate gland. The prostate will get bigger as a man gets older. Enlargement of the prostate can pinch the urethra (part of the urinary tract) and cause symptoms of urinary disturbances. This condition usually marks the presence of BPH.

The prostate is part of the male reproductive organ. Under normal circumstances, it is the size of a walnut. This organ functions to produce fluid that will be released in the form of semen during ejaculation. According to Cleveland Clinic, What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

BPH Reason

The exact cause of BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia) is not known with certainty. However, age greatly influences the incidence of BPH. This disorder is generally more common in men who are elderly. Allegedly this happens because of the influence of the hormone estrogen.

As you get older, the level of the hormone testosterone will decrease, and conversely, the hormone estrogen will increase. This condition is thought to cause prostate cells to grow and cause prostate enlargement.

Apart from the influence of age, other things that make a man more susceptible to experiencing BPH are:

• Having a family member with BPH
• Obesity
• Having coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Experiencing erectile dysfunction
• Rarely doing physical activity or sports

BPH Diagnosis

If a person experiences symptoms that are suspected of being BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia), the doctor will generally perform a digital rectal examination as an initial examination. Through the rectum, the doctor’s finger will feel the prostate gland to determine the size and shape of the patient’s prostate gland. Next, a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test will be carried out from the blood to differentiate BPH from prostate cancer.

Ultrasound examination can also be done to determine the volume size of the prostate more precisely. A uroflowmetry examination, which is an examination to measure the flow of urine, will also be carried out to determine the severity of the urethral obstruction that occurs due to an enlarged prostate.

BPH Symptom

BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia) is characterized by urinary disorders in the form of:

• Urinating more frequently (≥8 times a day)
• Difficulty holding back urination
• Having to strain when going to urinate
• Weak stream of urine
• At the end of urination, urine drips out
• Wetting the bed
• Pain during ejaculation and during urination

BPH Treatment

Not all cases of BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia) need to be treated. Before giving treatment, the doctor will first determine how severe the symptoms of BPH are interfering with the sufferer’s life. If only mild symptoms appear that do not interfere with activities, then treatment is not given first.

However, if the sufferer feels disturbed by the urinary disturbances he is experiencing, the doctor will give medication to reduce the symptoms. These drugs include:

• Drug class of alpha-blockers (alpha-blockers), namely drugs that function to relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder so that urine can flow smoothly.
• Drug class of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, which are drugs to treat erectile dysfunction which also have the benefit of relaxing the muscles in the urinary tract so that they can make urine flow more smoothly as well.
• Drug class of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors which work by inhibiting prostate cell growth.

If the symptoms of BPH are very severe and do not improve after being given medication, then surgery needs to be done. Generally, to reduce the size of the prostate, the surgery is not too invasive. Namely by inserting a kind of needle through the urinary hole, leading to the prostate, and an action will be taken to reduce the size of the prostate.

BPH Prevention

Until now there has been no effort that has proven effective in preventing the onset of BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia). Maintaining an ideal weight and adopting a healthy lifestyle and staying away from smoking can help maintain body condition.