Prostate enlargement, also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), is a non-cancerous increase in the size of the prostate gland that commonly occurs in men as they age.

The prostate is a small gland in men located below the bladder. It helps produce fluid that mixes with sperm to form semen.

Prostate enlargement is most common in men above the age of 50, though it can sometimes occur earlier.

• Frequent urge to urinate
  
• Difficulty starting urination
  
• Weak or slow urine stream
  
• Feeling that the bladder is not fully empty
  
• Dribbling after urination
• Waking up at night to urinate (nocturia)

No, BPH is not cancer. It is a benign (non-cancerous) condition, although both can cause similar urinary symptoms.

The exact cause isn’t fully known, but it’s believed to be related to hormonal changes with aging, especially changes in testosterone levels.

Diagnosis is made using:

• Physical exam (including digital rectal exam)
  
• Urine tests
  
• Blood tests (PSA)
• Ultrasound or uroflowmetry to assess urine flow and prostate size

While it cannot always be prevented, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, and routine check-ups can help manage the risk.

BPH causes non-cancerous growth of the prostate, whereas prostate cancer involves abnormal and potentially life-threatening cell growth.

Treatment options include:

• Lifestyle changes
  
• Medications
  
• Minimally invasive procedures
• Surgical treatments (like TURP or HOLEP) in more severe cases

Not always. Many men manage well with medications or lifestyle changes. Surgery is usually recommended only if symptoms are severe or if complications occur.

Common medications include:

• Alpha-blockers (to relax prostate muscles)
• 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (to shrink the prostate)

Your doctor may also prescribe a combination of the two.

Surgical options include:

• TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate)
  
• Laser surgery (like HOLEP or GreenLight)
• Open prostatectomy (for very large prostates)

Yes, modern prostate surgeries are safe and effective, with high success rates and quicker recovery, especially with minimally invasive techniques.

Yes. If untreated, BPH can lead to:

• Urine retention
  
• Bladder infections
  
• Bladder stones
• Bladder muscle weakness
• Kidney damage (rare)

Recovery time varies, but most men can resume normal activities within 2 to 3 weeks after minimally invasive surgery.

Yes, a urinary catheter is usually placed temporarily for 3 to 5 days to allow proper healing.

Since its a natural phenomenon, the prostate gland growth does occur slowly over a long period of time, but proper treatment and regular follow-up help maintain long-term relief and be symptom free.

Some men may notice changes like reduced semen output or dry ejaculation after treatment, but overall sexual function is usually preserved.

You can consult Dr. P. Niranjanraj, Urologist at Niranjan Hospital, Perambalur, for accurate diagnosis and advanced treatment options for prostate-related issues.