It doesn’t have to be that way. It might be very ... · Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, BPH relates to the non-cancerous growth of the prostate. BPH occurs very commonly in men as

get caught out? Missing out so you don’t

Frequent need to urinate?

It doesn’t have to be that way.It might be very manageable BPH

(Benign Prostate Hyperplasia).

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What is BPH?

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, BPH relates to the non-cancerous growth of the prostate. BPH occurs very commonly in men as they get older, starting around the age of 40. BPH can cause problems with urination referred to as LUTS (Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms), which can impact normal daily activities and quality of life.

Around 1 in 3 men will experience bothersome symptoms related to BPH in their 60s. The number of men who experience BPH symptoms increases as they get older.

What is the prostate?The prostate is a gland that only men have, it is just under the bladder and surrounds the urethra (the tube that men urinate and ejaculate through). When the prostate gland increases in size, it squeezes the urethra and causes it to narrow (figure 1), which can impact a man’s ability to urinate normally.

The enlargement of the prostate causes the symptoms associated with BPH and can also have other consequences if not managed or treated appropriately.

1


NORMAL SIZE

ENLARGED SIZE

testicle

glandpenisurethra

prostate

bladder

testicle

glandpenisurethra

prostate

bladder

Why does the prostate get bigger?Prostate growth is thought to be caused by a hormone in the blood called dihydrotestosterone DHT, a converted form of testosterone that occurs naturally in men. DHT is needed for normal prostate development in teenage boys but in older men may cause BPH.

An indication of prostate size and the changes in the prostate is sometimes determined by the Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA level in blood. As the prostate increases in size, PSA usually also increases. PSA is therefore often used by doctors to assess prostate health and to review changes in a man’s prostate over time.

2


What are the main symptoms of BPH?Men with BPH can suffer a significant decrease in their quality of life because of their symptoms. Their symptoms are sometimes called LUTS (Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms). These can include one or more of the following:

• The need to pass urine often, or without warning• Waking up more often in the night to urinate• Difficulty in starting to pass urine• Weak or interrupted urine stream• Being unable to completely stop the flow of urine when

you want• A feeling that your bladder is not empty after you have been

to the toilet• Leaking and dribbling of urine

What happens if BPH gets worse?Untreated BPH gets worse in many men. As it gets worse, BPH can lead to continued prostate growth and worsening of symptoms. In addition to this, if BPH gets worse there is an increased risk of complete blockage of urine flow (acute urinary retention) in some men or a need for surgery. Other complications of BPH include bladder stones, bladder infections, blood in the urine and damage to the kidneys from back pressure caused by retaining large amounts of extra urine in the bladder.

Doctors may want to determine a patient’s BPH symptoms, prostate size and PSA levels to assess if he is at higher risk of his BPH getting worse. This will also help the doctor suggest the most appropriate treatment.

3


What can I do now that I know I have BPH?Your doctor may have prescribed some medication for you, and also suggested some tips for you to manage your BPH such as limiting your caffeine intake or existing fluid intake. As BPH may get worse over time if not treated, it is important to keep taking your medication as directed until your doctor advises you to stop.

It may take some time (weeks to months) for you to notice an improvement in your symptoms, but to get all the benefits of your medication you should continue taking it according to your prescription.

What if I feel better?You should also continue to take your medication even if you are feeling better and your symptoms have improved. If you stop your medication your symptoms will most likely return and your prostate may continue to get bigger, again increasing your risk of BPH complications.

You should also make sure you attend your regular checkups with your doctor to assess your condition. This may involve having blood tests done to check your PSA or other assessments. These are important to ensure that the best diagnosis and ongoing treatment decisions can be made with you, and to give you the chance to discuss your condition with your doctor and ask any questions you may have.

4


Questions about your treatment...

What medications are used to treat BPH?There are different medications used to treat BPH. The treatment recommended or prescribed by the doctor will depend on many factors which may include the patient’s symptoms and prostate size.

What are the goals of BPH treatment?The goals of BPH treatment are to improve the symptoms and quality of life for the BPH patient as well as to prevent complications and reduce the need for surgery.

Why is taking my medication over the long-term important?Continuing your medication over time is important even if your symptoms improve. Due to the nature of BPH, if left untreated it often gets worse over time or if treatment is stopped.

5


BPH is a benign enlargement of the prostate gland

It is common in men over the age of 50 and around 1 in 3 men in their 60s will experience bothersome symptoms. The percentage of men who experience BPH rises with increasing age.

Men with BPH can suffer a significant decrease in their quality of life because of their symptoms.

Remember that if BPH is not treated appropriately it is likely to get worse and can lead to complete blockage of urine flow (acute urinary retention) and the need for surgery.

If you are prescribed medication take it as directed.

It may take a while (weeks to months) for you to experienceimprovement in your symptoms with the medication, but it is important to continue it as prescribed.

It is also important to continue with your BPH treatment, even if you are feeling better, because without your medication your symptoms are likely to get worse again.

If you have any side effects, you should talk to your doctor.

A short summary of BPH

6


manageable BPH

It might be very

It doesn’t need to be that way.

If you have any further questions about BPH, Please ask your healthcare professional.

IE/DUTT/0030/14(2) Date of Preparation: November 2017


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It doesn’t have to be that way. It might be very ... · Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, BPH relates to the non-cancerous growth of the prostate. BPH occurs very commonly in men as