• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
• Bladder Infection

Common Causes and Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate

Medically reviewed and edited by Heather Hanono, FNP

As men age, they often experience changes in their health and overall well-being.

One common issue that many men over the age of 50 — around 50% to 70% — will face is developing an enlarged prostate.

This condition can significantly impact your quality of life, especially if you don’t get it treated properly.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the causes of an enlarged prostate, treatment options you can consider, and steps you can take toward a healthier life.

What is an Enlarged Prostate?

Enlarged prostate — also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — is a condition that develops when the prostate gland increases in size.

In males, this gland surrounds the urethra — the tube that carries urine and sperm out of the body.

If the prostate enlarges, it can cause issues with the urethra and prevent it from functioning properly.

Common Signs and Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate

BPH can trigger certain signs and symptoms when it starts to develop. These may include:

• Slow and dribbling urination

• Difficulties urinating

• Incontinence (leaking)

• A sudden need to urinate

• Inability to completely empty your bladder

• Pain after ejaculating or while urinating

• Urine has a foul odor and changes color

It’s important to keep these symptoms in mind, especially when you get older, and the risk factors surrounding BPH increases.

Recognizing the signs of BPH early on can help you get proper treatment before it becomes a long-term issue.

What Causes the Prostate to Enlarge?

While the exact cause of BPH isn’t fully understood, most medical professionals agree that various contributing factors can cause an enlarged prostate.

Aging

Aging is the primary factor that can cause an enlarged prostate to develop. As men age, changes in their hormone levels can cause an increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — a hormone derived from testosterone.

This can lead to an overstimulation of prostate cells that triggers excessive tissue growth, causing the gland to enlarge.

Most men experience some degree of prostate enlargement when they get older, but not all cases are cause for concern. We’ll go into more detail about this a bit later.

Hormonal imbalances

Fluctuations or imbalances in hormonal levels — particularly male sex hormones like testosterone — can contribute to prostate enlargement.

Similar to aging, these imbalances can also stimulate prostate tissue growth, which can cause the gland to become enlarged.

A variety of factors can cause hormonal imbalances, but in men, they most commonly develop due to:

• Overuse of steroids

• Prolonged periods of chronic stress

• Diabetes

• Metabolic syndrome

• Poor diet and nutrition

• Mineral deficiencies

• Certain types of cancer

• Exposure to harmful chemicals and environmental factors

Inflammation and infections

Prostate inflammation (prostatitis) or certain infections can cause temporary BPH.

Inflammatory conditions may cause swelling and irritation of the prostate gland, which can lead to it becoming larger.

Although this enlargement usually resolves when inflammation subsides, it can become permanent if the underlying causes aren’t treated.

How is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Diagnosed?

To accurately diagnose an enlarged prostate, a healthcare professional will need to perform a comprehensive evaluation.

This process includes a combination of your doctor assessing your medical history, performing a physical examination, and doing diagnostics tests.

Specific examinations and tests may include:

• Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): This involves a healthcare provider physically inspecting the rectum to feel the size, shape, and consistency of the prostate. During this exam, your doctor can assess the prostate for abnormalities or signs of enlargement.

• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: This is a blood test that measures prostate-specific antigen levels. Imbalances or fluctuations could be an indication of various prostate conditions and signals that further testing may be needed to confirm them.

• Urinalysis: This involves testing a urine sample for signs of infection or abnormalities to rule out any urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other conditions that have similar symptoms to BPH.

• Imaging tests: In some cases, your doctor may recommend a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) or cystoscopy. These are two imaging methods that provide a direct visualization of the urethra and bladder to help doctors identify abnormalities.

Can an Enlarged Prostate Be Treated?

There are several treatment methods for effectively managing and overcoming BPH.

Depending on the cause and severity of the enlargement, your doctor will usually recommend a combination of home remedies and medications.

In severe cases, you might need to undergo a medical procedure to alleviate discomfort.

Home remedies

If you have mild symptoms, you might be able to treat the condition using various home remedies. These remedies can provide symptomatic relief and help improve your quality of life.

Common home remedies for treating BPH include:

• Making certain lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and practicing stress management

• Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake in the evenings to reduce urination frequency

• Implementing bladder training to improve control

• Maintaining a healthy weight to avoid chronic diseases that can contribute to the development of BPH

It’s important to note that home remedies alone aren’t sufficient for treating BPH.

You should implement these changes alongside a prescription treatment regime recommended by your doctor.

Medications

In addition to lifestyle changes and home remedies, your doctor may also suggest using any of the following medications to treat BPH:

• Alpha-blockers

• 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors

• Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors

These medications can help relax the muscles around the prostate and improve lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual dysfunction.

They may also aid in reducing the size of the gland by inhibiting the production of DHT — the testosterone-derived hormone that causes an overgrowth of prostate tissue.

Medical procedures

In some cases, your doctor may recommend minimally invasive procedures to help relieve your BPH symptoms:

• Transurethral Microwave Therapy (TUMT) uses microwave energy to shrink the prostate.

• Transurethral Needle Ablation (TUNA) involves delivering radiofrequency energy to reduce prostate size.

• Prostatic Urethral Lift (UroLift) is a process that elevates the prostate to improve urine flow.

If your BHP is severe or other treatments are ineffective, prostate surgery may be considered.

These procedures involve processes to destroy prostate tissue by using laser therapy or surgical methods.

When Should You Be Worried About an Enlarged Prostate?

While an enlarged prostate is a common aspect of aging for men, it’s important to know when you have to seek medical attention.

If you experience any of the following, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible:

• Severe urinary symptoms, including persistent or painful urination

• Recurrent UTIs, bladder stones, or kidney problems

• Sudden acute urinary retention

• Unexplained weight loss or fatigue

• Blood in the urine

• New or worsening symptoms related to BPH, such as increased need to urinate or persistent bladder discomfort

Being proactive and getting professional care as soon as you start noticing BPH-related symptoms is the best way to prevent long-term complications.

This also helps you get the proper treatment to overcome an enlarged prostate and improve your quality of life.

Where Can You Learn More about Enlarged Prostate and Similar Conditions?

If you’re concerned about your symptoms or want to know more about treating an enlarged prostate, LifeMD is here to help.

A team of medical professionals can assist you with information and provide guidance on managing an enlarged prostate while avoiding further complications.

Make an appointment with LifeMD today to learn more about enlarged prostate care — all from the comfort of your home.

Heather Hanono, FNP

Heather is a dedicated Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with experience in urgent care, primary care, emergency medicine, and men's health. A South Florida native, she is bilingual in English and Spanish. Heather completed her Master's in Family Nurse Practitioner at Nova Southeastern University. She is passionate about building trustful relationships with her patients while promoting health and wellness. In her free time, Heather enjoys spending time with her daughter and family, going on vacation, and shopping.

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