The prostate is a small gland that sits between the penis and the bladder. It functions as part of the male reproductive system.
If the prostate becomes enlarged, it can place pressure on the bladder and the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis. The medical term for an enlarged prostate is benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.
BPH is a common health condition in older people. In the United States, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesTrusted Source, BPH affects:
around 50 percent of men aged 51–60 years
up to 90 percent of men over the age of 80
Common symptoms of BPH include:
needing to urinate more than eight times a day
being unable to delay urination
Waking up frequently at night to urinate
Straining to urinate or having difficulty starting urination
having a weak or intermittent urine stream
being unable to empty the bladder completely, which is called urinary retention
urinating accidentally, or urinary incontinence
dribbling after urinating
The primary stage of BPH treatment is usually called watchful waiting. During watchful waiting, the affected individual will be:
learning about BPH
Making positive lifestyle changes, such as becoming more physically active
taking no further action until their symptoms change
A doctor will also work with the individual and keep a close eye on their condition. Many people with an enlarged prostate remain at this level of care for some time.
When BPH becomes more advanced, a doctor may recommend medication. Medication can help control the growth of the prostate and reduce the symptoms of BPH. Common medicationsTrusted Source for BPH include:
Alpha blockers. These can relax the prostate muscles and improve the functioning of the urinary system.
Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Doctors primarily prescribe these for erectile dysfunction. However, PDE5 inhibitors can also relax muscles in the urinary tract to help relieve symptoms of BPH.
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. These may help to limit the growth of the prostate gland in people with BPH.
Combination medications. A doctor may recommend the concurrent use of two or more different types of medication to help improve BPH symptoms.