Welcome to BPH Canada. We are a Canadian BPH treatment centre focused on less invasive therapies for benign prostate hyperplasia. Our team, including leading Montreal urologist Dr. Kevin Zorn, is here to answer your questions about BPH and its treatments.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate gland. BPH is a common condition as men get older. The prostate is a small gland that starts out about the size of a walnut. As men age, the gland becomes enlarged.
About half of men with the condition have no symptoms other than the change in size. For others, urinary and sexual issues can result, including impeding urine flow, leading to bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems.
You can do a lot to take care of yourself and give your body what it needs. Still, as you get older, your body changes in ways you can’t always control. For most men, one of those changes is that the prostate gets bigger.
In this condition, the enlarged prostate enlarges may compress the urethra (the tube that carries urine and semen from the bladder through the penis) causing problems urinating. BPH can cause various urinary symptoms, known collectively as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
BPH isn’t prostate cancer and doesn’t make you more likely to get it.
It’s a common condition, and there are a lot of treatments for it, from lifestyle changes to medication to surgery. Your doctor can help you choose the best care based on your age, health, and how the condition affects you.
Doctors aren’t sure exactly what makes this happen. Some think it may have to do with normal hormonal changes as you age, but it’s not clear.
BPH is considered a normal condition of male ageing. The exact cause is unknown and for some men poses no problem. For others, treatment will be required.
Contributing factors can include:
The symptoms of BPH are often very mild at first, but they become more serious if they aren’t treated.
Symptoms can include trouble with urination, a weak urine stream, and not feeling empty after urination. Treatment options include lifestyle changes, MIST (Minimally Invasive Surgical Therapies) options, surgical procedures, or medications.
Common symptoms are:
As the prostate enlarges, it can partially block the flow of urine from the bladder, causing urine to back up in the bladder. This can increase the frequency of urination and potentially cause urinary tract or kidney problems.
The doctor will review your symptoms and medical history. A rectal examination will be needed for the doctor to assess the size of the prostate.
Diagnostic and assessment tests may include:
UroLift
It can get worse over time.
The fact is, as symptoms increase, BPH can interfere with your day-to-day life.
Potential impacts include:
If you have symptoms of BPH, please contact your doctor for an assessment, or go ahead and get in touch with BPH Canada for more information on treatment options.
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