Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous medical condition that causes the prostate gland to grow. This walnut-sized gland in men produces seminal fluid, which helps transport sperm. While an enlarged prostate can occur at any age, it’s most common in men 50 and over.
At his practice in Yonkers, New York, expert urologist Sherif S. El-Masry, MD, specializes in treating BPH. Here, learn more about symptoms, when to seek help, and the most effective treatment options.
BPH typically develops slowly over the years, so early symptoms are often mild and easy to overlook. However, as the prostate gland grows, it places pressure on the urethra, the tube that helps urine and ejaculate leave the body. This can trigger various symptoms, including:
Over time, untreated BPH could block off the urethra, increasing the risk of more serious health problems, such as kidney damage, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and bladder stones.
Seeking treatment early for BPH symptoms can help prevent complications, so schedule an appointment with Dr. El-Masry if you notice the symptoms listed above. Telltale signs that it’s time to see a urologist right away include pain in your lower abdomen or genitals while urinating and struggling to urinate at all.
Although BPH isn’t cancerous, its symptoms can overlap with those of prostate cancer, making a professional evaluation essential.
We take a conservative, minimally invasive approach to treating BPH. You can often manage mild BPH symptoms with a “wait and watch” approach that includes making healthy lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, and taking supplements like African cherry tree bark (pygeum africanum), which may help improve urinary symptoms.
Dr. El-Masry may also prescribe medications — such as alpha-blockers, which relax the muscles in your prostate to improve urine flow, or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which may help shrink the prostate over time.
If these measures don’t provide significant relief, you may be a candidate for minimally invasive surgery or another similar treatment. Several procedures for BPH exist, including:
These treatments use different techniques to remove excess prostate tissue and improve urinary flow.
The sooner you get treated for an enlarged prostate, the less likely you are to face invasive options like surgery. To receive high-quality BPH care, contact us today by calling the office at 914-375-5700.
