![]() The prostate surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder and out of the body. The normal function of the prostate is to produce semen, the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. And why they occur is pretty well understood. But only about half of men will have symptoms that warrant treatment.īPH symptoms, which usually involve problems with urinating, aren't hard to detect. By age 65, the figure is up to nearly 75 percent, and by age 80, nine in 10 men have BPH. The statistics are not precise, but by age 55 or so, about half of all men have an enlarged prostate. It's also possible to have BPH and prostate cancer at the same time, underscoring the need to get checked.Īlmost all men-once they reach a certain age-will develop BPH. So it's important to be checked by a physician if you notice changes in your typical urination patterns or have other BPH symptoms. That said, BPH symptoms (see the list of symptoms below) can be similar to the symptoms of prostate cancer. The prostate becomes larger in all men as they age, and how slowly or rapidly that occurs does not appear to be linked to one's risk of prostate cancer. It's also important to emphasize that BPH does not raise your risk of prostate cancer. While it can be a serious condition in some cases, it's important to note that it is not prostate cancer, and that many men who have been diagnosed with BPH have no symptoms at all or symptoms that are minor and not very bothersome. Prostate enlargement, or BPH, affects millions of men in the U.S., mostly those ages 50 and older. It is based on an analysis of the scientific evidence on drugs to treat BPH, including studies from the 1960s through late 2008. This analysis compares the effectiveness, safety, and cost of medicines used to treat urination problems due to prostate enlargement, a condition also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (or hypertrophy), or BPH. In addition, the combination of finasteride and doxazosin has been proven to delay the progression of BPH symptoms. It is the only reductase inhibitor available as a generic, so it costs significantly less than a brand-name drug. In that case, we recommend adding finasteride. Or you and your doctor might want to consider adding a reductase inhibitor to your regimen. If doxazosin doesn't work for you, you might try another alpha-blocker, terazosin, also available as a low-cost generic. The savings would be significant compared to taking one of the costly brand-name alpha-blockers, which can run more than $100 per month. It's also available as an inexpensive generic drug, costing $8 or less for a month's supply. We picked it as our Best Buy because it has a long track record of being both safe and effective. If you and your doctor decide that a drug is appropriate for your condition, we recommend the alpha-blocker doxazosin as your first option. Sometimes the two types of drugs are used in combination. Alpha-blockers are generally used first because they act fast, relieving urination problems in a matter of days or weeks, while reductase inhibitors can take several months to provide relief. Two classes of drugs are commonly used to treat prostate enlargement: alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. If your symptoms persist or worsen, the next step is usually to consider medication. These include going to the bathroom when you first feel the urge, reducing or eliminating your intake of alcohol, caffeine, antihistamines, and decongestants, and limiting your fluid intake before bedtime. If you have urinary problems due to BPH, lifestyle changes can often provide relief and should be tried first. ![]() Those could be signs of serious complications that require medical attention. You should also contact your doctor immediately if you have a fever or chills, pain in your back, side or abdomen, cloudy or bloody urine, or pain when urinating. ![]() The symptoms of BPH can be similar to the symptoms of prostate cancer, so it's important to get an accurate diagnosis. ![]() You should see a doctor if you have urinary problems. Concerns about urinary problems can also lead some men with this condition to give up routine activities such as sports or going to the movies where it may be difficult to find or reach a restroom. Some men with BPH, for example, feel the urge to get up several times throughout the night to urinate, which can interrupt their sleep and leave them tired and groggy the next day. But for millions of others, the urinary problems caused by BPH can be burdensome and interfere with their quality of life. Many men with BPH will either have no symptoms or symptoms that are mild and not that bothersome. It's usually not a serious or life-threatening condition, but it can cause problems with urinating, primarily in men age 50 and older. A man's prostate becomes larger as he ages, a condition known as benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH. ![]()
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