Around 70% of the U.S men are affected with the BPH in the age group of 60-69 years and 80% of men are affected in the age group older than 70 years. By 2030, 20% of the US men will be at the age of 65 or more, and then the figure contributing to BPH would be 20 million.

BPH means Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, which is an enlarged prostate condition. The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system, found below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Its main function is to make fluid for semen. Basically, the prostate has two growth cycles. The first cycle starts in early puberty in which it doubles in size. The second cycle starts around the age of 25 and goes on for the rest of life. BPH occurs generally in the second growth cycle. In BPH, B stands for benign means, not cancer. It does not cause or lead to cancer. Cancer and BPH can occur at the same time.

Causes of BPH

The exact cause of the BPH is not known. If testicles of the man were removed before puberty, he cannot develop BPH. So, some scientists believe that factors related to testicles and aging are responsible for BPH.

As we know, man produces both hormones i.e. male hormone, Testosterone and female hormone Estrogen in less amount. The amount of active testosterone in the blood decreases with the age of the man. So, it leaves with a higher amount of estrogen that triggers the substances, which causes the growth of the prostate.

The scientists have given another theory about the cause of the BPH. It is related to the male hormone DHT i.e. dihydrotestosterone. This hormone is active towards the growth and development of the prostate. It is proved that, even when testosterone is present in fewer amounts, DHT helps in the growth of the prostate. Also, scientists have noticed that a person who does not produce DHT do not develop BPH.

Diagnosis of BPH

If you are experiencing the symptoms of the BPH, then you need to visit the doctor to diagnose BPH.

The doctor will examine you on the basis of your medical history, physical examination that involves the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE), and medical tests.

There are some medical tests you need to perform as mentioned below:

Urinalysis: To test urine
Cystoscopy: To look at the urethra or bladder with a scope
Post-void residual volume: To measure urine left in the bladder after urinating
Ultrasound: To detect the size of the prostate
Uroflowmetry: To measure how fast urine flows
PSA blood test: To screen for prostate cancer
Urodynamic Pressure: To test pressure in the bladder during urinating
Urinary blood test: To screen for bladder cancer
Symptoms of BPH

The symptom of BPH depends on the severity of the condition. The people who have prostate gland enlargement vary symptoms and tend to gradually worsen over time.

Common symptoms of BPH are mentioned below:

Inability to completely empty the bladder, weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts, difficulty starting urination, increased frequency of urination at night, frequent or urgent need to urinate, and dribbling at the end of urination.
Rarely observed symptoms of BPH are such as urinary tract infection, inability to urinate, and blood in the urine.
The size of patients prostate need not necessarily determine the severity of the condition. Some men with slightly enlarged prostates can experience significant symptoms, while other men with excessively enlarged prostates can experience very minor urinary symptoms.

Besides above there are some other symptoms that patients can experience, given as:

Problems with nerves that control the bladder, urinary tract infection, scarring in the bladder neck as a result of previous surgery, inflammation of the prostate, narrowing of the urethra or bladder or kidney stones, and prostate cancer may occur.

Treatment for BPH

Avodart is an effective medication used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia i.e. BPH in men. It is composed of Dutasteride as the main active component. GlaxoSmithKline is the well-known pharmaceutical company that manufactures this medicine. This active component is a synthetic is a selective inhibitor that treats this condition. It also acts by preventing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone in the body.

GlaxoSmithKline, the trusted pharmaceutical that offers a medicinal drug Qual. It has a combination of two active ingredients Dutasteride / Tamsulosin Hydrochloride. It is a combination of two ingredients that restricts the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. This medicine also changes testosterone to another hormone that causes the prostate gland to grow.