Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also called prostate enlargement, is a noncancerous increase in size of the <a href="/facts/Prostate_gland/mrBdSsf7">prostate gland</a>. Symptoms may include <a href="/facts/Frequent_urination/gyKlXTDA">frequent urination</a>, trouble starting to urinate, weak stream, <a href="/facts/Urinary_retention/YvTCprKk">inability to urinate</a>, or <a href="/facts/Urinary_incontinence/1hNsKRn9">loss of bladder control</a>. Complications can include <a href="/facts/Urinary_tract_infection/4NwY9tL0">urinary tract infections</a>, <a href="/facts/Bladder_stone/QcWvBJSM">bladder stones</a>, and <a href="/facts/Chronic_kidney_problems/gsqb5nos">chronic kidney problems</a>.
The cause is unclear. Risk factors include a family history, <a href="/facts/Obesity/RBF9y5Vl">obesity</a>, <a href="/facts/Type_2_diabetes/zCMXksmt">type 2 diabetes</a>, not enough exercise, and <a href="/facts/Erectile_dysfunction/7HDetsos">erectile dysfunction</a>. Medications like <a href="/facts/Pseudoephedrine/b2rMjnLv">pseudoephedrine</a>, <a href="/facts/Anticholinergic/9mDjo23r">anticholinergics</a>, and <a href="/facts/Calcium_channel_blocker/st91pD2K">calcium channel blockers</a> may worsen symptoms. The underlying mechanism involves the prostate pressing on the <a href="/facts/Urethra/THkvxu0d">urethra</a> thereby making it difficult to pass urine out of the <a href="/facts/Bladder/g8Khaf7A">bladder</a>. Diagnosis is typically based on symptoms and <a href="/facts/Physical_examination/qzI0BK5P">examination</a> after ruling out other possible causes.
Treatment options include lifestyle changes, medications, a number of procedures, and surgery. In those with mild symptoms, weight loss, decreasing <a href="/facts/Caffeine/Hx6E2QC5">caffeine</a> intake, and exercise are recommended, although the quality of the evidence for exercise is low. In those with more significant symptoms, medications may include <a href="/facts/Alpha_blocker/MqNLhfS9">alpha blockers</a> such as <a href="/facts/Terazosin/eKB0C4LI">terazosin</a> or <a href="/facts/5%25CE%25B1-reductase_inhibitor/kKSEtb4w">5α-reductase inhibitors</a> such as <a href="/facts/Finasteride/1LeCGr3h">finasteride</a>. Surgical removal of part of the prostate may be carried out in those who do not improve with other measures. Some <a href="/facts/Herbal_medicine/aFHY8zCD">herbal medicines</a> that have been studied, such as <a href="/facts/Saw_palmetto/CgP2HmzF">saw palmetto</a>, have not been shown to help. Other herbal medicines somewhat effective at improving urine flow include <a href="/facts/Beta-sitosterol/B9bAhAl9">beta-sitosterol</a> from <a href="/facts/Hypoxis_rooperi/a5zMmISA">Hypoxis rooperi</a> (African star grass), <a href="/facts/Pygeum_(herbal_remedy)/u1339ANB">pygeum</a> (extracted from the bark of <a href="/facts/Prunus_africana/u1339ANB">Prunus africana</a>), pumpkin seeds (<a href="/facts/Cucurbita_pepo/U50QWWdK">Cucurbita pepo</a>), and <a href="/facts/Stinging_nettle/Bz1qWXXW">stinging nettle</a> (<a href="/facts/Urtica_dioica/Bz1qWXXW">Urtica dioica</a>) root.
As of 2019<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Benign_prostatic_hyperplasia&action=edit">[update]</a>, about 94 million men aged 40 years and older are affected globally. BPH typically begins after the age of 40. The <a href="/facts/Prevalence/6UTuTGTH">prevalence</a> of clinically diagnosed BPH peaks at 24% in men aged 75–79 years. Based on <a href="/facts/Autopsy/GzSXuCH2">autopsy</a> studies, half of males aged 50 and over are affected, and this figure climbs to 80% after the age of 80. Although <a href="/facts/Prostate_specific_antigen/HaylgTdR">prostate specific antigen</a> levels may be elevated in males with BPH, the condition does not increase the risk of <a href="/facts/Prostate_cancer/Mx7XuDhm">prostate cancer</a>.

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Benign prostatic hyperplasia