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BPH (Benign Prostetic Hyperplasia) is an enlargement of the prostate or development of nodules which compress the urethra interrupting urinary flow. Thes in turn leads to urinary symptoms most often associated with BPH such as urinary hesitancy, frequency, infections and retention. BPH is not considered to be a precursor to cancer, but PSA (prostate specific antigens) may be elevated due to increase in organ size and the inflammation that may occur with infections.
Why Treat BPH?
Most men would classify the symptoms of BPH, urinary problems, as an annoyance more than anything else. However, if left untreated, BPH can lead to severe urinary tract infections from bacteria growing in urine which was not voided, bladder stones created from salts in the retained urine, and even kidney failure which can result from chronic urinary retgention. To avoid the more severe complications of BPH, it is encouraged to seek treatment. BPH is a progressive disease, meaning it will not get better with time, it will get worse.
Available Treatments for BPH
There are several treatments available. You should discuss each of them with your physician to determine what treatment is best for you.
The most common treatment are medications known as alpha-blockers such as doxazocin (Hytrin), terazocin (Cardura), alfuocin (Urotraxal), and tamsulosin (Flomax). They can treat the symptoms of BPH by relaxing smooth muscles in the bladder to allow for normal urinary flow.
Finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart) inhibit the production of DHT, a hormone that causes the prostate to grow. These two drugs can stop the growth of the prostate, and for some men, shrink the prostate.