Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition that occurs when the prostate enlarges to the point where it causes problems with urination due to the constriction of the urethra. After about 60, the chances of developing an enlarged prostate are about 50/50. Although extremely common, there are still some misconceptions surrounding it.
Common Misconceptions about an Enlarged Prostate:
Myth: An enlarged prostate means I have cancer.
Fact: BPH is a non-cancerous condition and does not play a role in the likelihood of prostate cancer developing. The two conditions are separate and unrelated, although someone could have BPH and prostate cancer at the same time. Also, the treatment of BPH does not lower your chances of developing prostate cancer.
Myth: A bigger prostate means worse symptoms.
Fact: The size of the prostate has no relation to the severity of symptoms. BPH symptoms consist of a weak or interrupted urine stream, sudden urgency to urinate, frequent urination, trouble initiating urine flow, and inability to completely empty the bladder. Men with only a slightly larger prostate may have extreme symptoms, while others with a much larger one only experience mild symptoms.
If you are experiencing any urinary problems, it is time to talk to your doctor. The symptoms of BPH are shared with other medical conditions, so it is essential to rule out anything underlying. Even if the urinary symptoms are not bothersome, you should still go. If left untreated, serious complications can develop.
Myth: Treatment options cause impotence.
Fact: Treatments for BPH depend on the size of your prostate, age, overall health, and symptom severity. Mild to moderate level symptom severity is typically treated with medications such as alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, Cialis, or a combination of those. Moderate to severe BPH may require minimally invasive surgery that aims to reduce the size of the prostate by either removing some of the excess tissue or compressing the prostate gland to increase urine flow.
As with any medication or procedure, side effects are a possibility, such as erectile dysfunction. Not everyone experiences side effects, and for those that do, there are treatments that address them.
Treatment Options at UCNT
Doctors at the Urology Clinic of North Texas are providing the most technologically advanced options to their patients. UCNT delivers minimally invasive therapy options to their patients. Rezum is a minimally invasive therapy that uses water vapor to shrink the prostate. Rezum is done in the office and can relieve symptoms, including urinary urgency, frequency, weak urine stream, and excessive nighttime urination.
Another treatment option is a UroLift® implant that can relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate by lifting the tissue and increasing the opening to the urethra. UCNT also uses GreenLight™ Laser PVP to treat enlarged prostate, with a high-powered laser light that vaporizes prostate cells quickly.
Urology Clinics of North Texas has 18 locations in the Dallas area and 40 doctors specializing in urinary health. To learn more about all the treatment options offered for prostate enlargement, visit our website.
References:
https://www.partnersinurology.com/truth-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-bph-myth-vs-fact/
