No, an enlarged prostate (BPH) isn't always serious, but it can become a significant problem if untreated, potentially leading to severe urinary issues, infections, bladder stones, and even kidney damage, though BPH itself isn't cancer. Many men have mild symptoms, but if it causes difficulty urinating, recurrent infections, or blockage, treatment is needed to prevent serious complications.
An enlarged prostate (sometimes called benign prostate enlargement) is when your prostate gets bigger. It's common and is not usually serious, but there are treatments that can help if you need them. An enlarged prostate is most common in men over 50 years old. It can affect anyone with a prostate.
If you are over 60, you are more likely to have symptoms. But many men with an enlarged prostate have only minor symptoms. Self-care steps are often enough to make you feel better. If you have BPH, you should have a yearly assessment to monitor your symptoms and see if you need changes in treatment.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition in which the prostate gland grows larger than normal, but the growth is not caused by cancer. The prostate has two main growth phases. The first growth phase happens early in puberty link, when the prostate doubles in size.
In more extreme cases, the continuous obstruction caused by an untreated enlarged prostate can result in kidney damage or even kidney failure. These complications highlight the critical need for timely and effective management of BPH to prevent further deterioration of urinary and kidney health.
The outlook for people with BPH is very good. BPH doesn't have a cure, but treatments can help alleviate your symptoms. Mild symptoms may not require treatment. Medications, surgery and minimally invasive treatments can treat more severe cases.
Taking medicine is the most common treatment for mild to moderate symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Options include: Alpha blockers. Alpha blockers work by relaxing the smooth muscle of the bladder neck and prostate.
The prostate produces a fluid that is a component of semen. As men age, the cells of the prostate proliferate in response to the presence of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone. This causes the prostate to grow in size, resulting in an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.
For very large prostate glands such as those larger than 80 mL, open prostatectomy and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) are options for surgical management.
Stress triggers the release of cortisol and other stress hormones, disrupting hormonal balance. Elevated cortisol can contribute to inflammation and immune dysfunction, creating an environment where conditions like enlarged prostate or prostatitis may thrive.
Summary:Frequent ejaculation—more than 20 times per month—may lower the risk of prostate cancer and potentially reduce the risk of prostate enlargement, although it is not a guaranteed preventive measure. Prostate cancer can impact sexual health, primarily through treatment side effects, not the disease itself.
Generally, a prostate size of 30 cc or more is considered concerning. The American Urological Association recommends surgical intervention for prostates of 30 cc or larger if accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms.
Surgery can very effectively reduce the problems associated with a benign enlarged prostate. It is considered if other treatments don't provide enough relief, or if the enlarged prostate keeps causing medical problems such as urinary tract infections. But surgery often has side effects.
Because the average patient with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or LUTS/BPH, has a remaining life expectancy of 15 to 20 years, both short-term and long-term outcomes matter in the management of LUTS/BPH.
Red or pink urine
Red urine isn't always a sign of a serious health problem. Red or pink urine can be caused by: Blood. Health problems that can cause blood in the urine include an enlarged prostate, tumors that aren't cancer, and kidney stones and cysts.
How to Prevent Prostate Enlargement
About a radical prostatectomy
A radical prostatectomy is a major operation with some possible side effects. You may not need this type of surgery if you have a slow growing prostate cancer.
Recent figures show that in urology – where men with prostate cancer are treated – only six in 10 cancer patients are starting treatment within 62 days of being referred, the target set by the NHS. If you've been affected by these delays and are awaiting treatment, it's normal to feel very mixed emotions.
Risk factors for an enlarged prostate include:
If you are over 60, you are more likely to have symptoms. But many men with an enlarged prostate have only minor symptoms. Self-care steps are often enough to make you feel better. If you have BPH, you should have a yearly assessment to monitor your symptoms and see if you need changes in treatment.
Ian Eardley, National Clinical Director for NHS England and a consultant urological surgeon in Leeds, said: “Benign prostate enlargement is common in men over the age of 50 and you would expect around 70-80% over the age of 75 to have an enlarged prostate.
Enlarged Prostate Treatment
Procedures that may be performed include: Minimally invasive procedures to remove tissues and ease pressure on the bladder. Embolization to block the blood supply to the prostate to reduce its size. Open or robot-assisted surgery to remove all or part of the prostate (prostatectomy)
Surgery is a highly effective form of prostate cancer treatment. The procedure for removing the prostate is called a radical prostatectomy. Radical prostatectomies are the most commonly used surgical technique for prostate cancer.
Treatments. Because BPH cannot be cured, the treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms. The treatment is based on how severe the symptoms are, how much they bother the patient and whether there are complications. The more irritating the symptoms are, the more aggressive treatment should be.