What is an enlarged prostate or BPH?

The prostate, part of the male reproductive system, produces seminal fluid – the liquid that carries and nourishes sperm. This walnut-sized gland sits below your bladder and surrounds your urethra, the tube that drains urine from your bladder and out of your body.

As men age, the prostate grows. In their middle to late 40's, the cells in the central portion of the prostate may reproduce more quickly, constricting the urethra, much like clamping a hose, and causing difficulty when urinating. This condition is known as enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

If you have an enlarged prostate, you may experience these symptoms:

A frequent urge to urinate, especially at night
An urgent need to urinate with little warning
Difficulty beginning urination
Pain or burning during urination
Feeling that your bladder never completely empties
Dribbling or leaking urine
A weak urine stream
Intermittent—or on/off—urine flow
Blood in the urine

Prostate health can affect your lifestyle.

Many men affected by an enlarged prostate report lifestyle changes such as avoiding travel, interrupted leisure activities, and embarrassment about using urinals. Frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom can disrupt sleep for both enlarged prostate sufferers and their partners as well.

How severe are your enlarged prostate symptoms?

Click here to learn about the American Urological Association's BPH survey and rate your prostate symptoms.

How is an enlarged prostate (BPH) diagnosed?

Whether you first notice difficulty with urination or your doctor finds that your prostate is enlarged during a routine exam, a smart first step toward a solution is an appointment with a urologist—a doctor who specializes in urinary tract and male reproductive system health. Several tests help identify the problem and suggest the best course of action. Tests vary from patient to patient, but these are the most common:

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test
Rectal Ultrasound
Urine Flow Study
Cystoscopy

To learn more about these diagnostic tests, click here.

What are the treatment options for an enlarged prostate?

Based on prostate symptoms and test results, doctors may offer a number number of treatment options for an enlarged prostate. They include:

Watchful Waiting – If your symptoms are mild, your doctor may recommend simply monitoring the situation before taking action.

Medications – The most common course of treatment for controlling mild to moderate enlarged prostate symptoms. Medications include alpha blockers and alpha reductase inhibitors.

Microwave and Heat Therapies – These are minimally invasive treatments that use microwave or heat energy to reduce the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) – This is a surgical procedure to remove enlarged prostate tissue.

Laser Therapy – This option removes enlarged prostate tissue through the use of high energy lasers.

Prostatic Stents – This option is reserved for those patients who are severely obstructed and otherwise unable to undergo surgery.

GreenLight Laser Therapy restores prostate health.

In seeking a cure for their enlarged prostate, many men have turned to GreenLight, an effective option for most men diagnosed with BPH. This procedure combines the effectiveness of the traditional surgery known as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), with fewer risks of sexual and other side effects and quicker, less painful recovery times. GreenLight is typically an outpatient procedure – meaning the majority of patients can return home just hours after treatment, and can return to normal, non-strenuous activities within days. Doctors have performed over 300,000 of these successful procedures worldwide, offering BPH sufferers a complete solution that offers long-lasting freedom from enlarged prostate symptoms.

There are risks associated with GreenLight Laser Therapy. The most common side effects of GreenLight Laser Therapy are blood in the urine, bladder spasms or urgency, and irritation of the urinary tract. Please consult your doctor to see if GreenLight is right for you.