Funding research and education to beat prostate disease
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common prostate disorder. Symptoms due to BPH are thought to affect one third of men aged over 50 in the UK. The incidence of BPH increases with age: half of men aged over 60 are affected by symptoms of BPH.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the result of non-cancerous changes in the prostate that causes the middle portion of the prostate to enlarge. These changes are due to either:
- An increase in the number of prostate cells
- An increase in the size of prostate cells
As the prostate enlarges, it squeezes the urethra, which reduces the flow of urine from the bladder.
What happens if BPH isn’t treated?
Most men living with BPH who do not receive treatment, will experience only a gradual deterioration in symptoms. However, as the prostate continues to enlarge, the muscular wall of the bladder has to work harder to push urine through the urethra. This extra work makes the muscles of the bladder wall thicker and stronger. The pressure inside the bladder also increases and this causes diverticula to form within the bladder walls. Occasionally, the pressure is great enough to result in kidney problems. Bladder stones can also develop. If BPH isn’t treated, it can lead to acute urinary retention or chronic urinary retention. Both of these conditions require hospital admission. Acute urinary retention is a medical emergency.
Risk Factors
The larger a man’s prostate, the more likely he is to develop symptoms caused by their benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The prostate grows with age so older men are at increased risk. Men are more likely to develop complications if their urine tends to flow slowly or if a large amount of urine is left in their bladder after urinating.
Prevention
We are still to identify what triggers BPH, but we do know that testosterone is involved in some way. It is likely the female hormone oestrogen has a role too. Research data suggests that men in the Far East are protected to some extent against the risks of BPH by tiny amounts of oestrogen-like substances in their diet. Soya beans are a good example of this. This raises the question whether dietary supplements taken regularly could protect against BPH. Again, more research is needed.
