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Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Male Reproductive System

Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

An enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common condition in men over 50 that occurs when the prostate gland grows larger than normal, potentially impacting urinary function.

What is the Prostate?

The prostate is a gland located just below the bladder in the male reproductive system. Its primary function is to produce fluid that is a component of semen.

Understanding BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) refers to the enlargement of the prostate gland. "Benign" indicates that the condition is not cancer, and "hyperplasia" refers to excessive cell growth. BPH does not increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.

As the prostate grows throughout adult life, it may press against the bladder and pinch the urethra, which can slow or block urine flow. Over time, the bladder muscle may weaken from the effort of passing urine through a narrowed urethra, leading to incomplete bladder emptying.

Causes and Risk Factors

While the exact cause of continued prostate growth is unknown, researchers suspect that hormonal changes associated with aging may play a role. Factors that increase the likelihood of developing BPH include:

  • Being age 40 or older.
  • Having a family history of BPH.
  • Living with conditions such as obesity, heart disease, blood circulation problems, type 2 diabetes, or erectile dysfunction.
  • Lack of physical activity.

Symptoms

Symptoms of BPH often relate to urinary function:

  • Frequent or urgent need to urinate.
  • Waking up multiple times during the night to urinate.
  • Trouble starting to urinate.
  • A weak, slow, or intermittent urine stream.
  • Dribbling after urination.
  • Urinary incontinence.
  • A feeling that the bladder is not completely empty.
  • Pain during urination or after ejaculation.
  • Urine with an unusual color or smell.

Seek medical attention immediately if you cannot urinate, have a fever and chills accompanied by painful or frequent urination, notice blood in your urine, or experience pain in the lower abdomen or urinary tract.

Potential Complications

BPH can lead to serious health issues, including:

  • Acute urinary retention: A medical emergency where you suddenly cannot urinate at all.
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
  • Bladder damage and bladder stones.
  • Kidney damage.

Diagnosis

Providers diagnose BPH through a review of medical and family history, a physical exam, and potentially the following tests:

  • Digital rectal exam (DRE): A provider checks the prostate for size, tenderness, or irregularities.
  • Urine tests.
  • PSA blood test (prostate-specific antigen).
  • Urodynamic testing to assess urine retention and release.
  • Cystoscopy to examine the urethra and bladder.
  • Ultrasound of the prostate and urinary tract.
  • Prostate biopsy to rule out cancer.

Treatment and Management

Treatment depends on symptom severity, overall health, age, and prostate size:

  • Lifestyle changes: Reducing fluid intake before bedtime, limiting caffeine and alcohol, bladder training, and managing constipation.
  • Medicines: Used to stop growth, shrink the prostate, or relax muscles to improve flow.
  • Medical procedures: Minimally invasive procedures to widen the urethra or use heat to destroy part of the prostate.
  • Surgery: Used for severe cases to remove part of the prostate or relieve pressure on the urethra.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent BPH. Maintaining prostate health involves regular checkups, monitoring symptoms, and discussing risk factors with a healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. A diet low in red meat and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can reduce inflammation. Limiting caffeine and alcohol, which can irritate the bladder, also helps. Regular aerobic exercise improves blood flow and may reduce prostate growth. Maintaining a healthy weight lowers the risk of BPH progression, and pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) can strengthen the bladder neck and improve urinary control.
If symptoms are mild to moderate and manageable with lifestyle changes, doctors often start with medications such as alpha‑blockers or 5‑alpha‑reductase inhibitors. Surgery (like TURP or laser therapy) is usually considered when medications fail to relieve symptoms, when there is a risk of urinary retention, bladder stones, or kidney damage, or if the prostate is very large. The decision is based on symptom severity, prostate size, urinary flow measurements, and the patient’s overall health and preferences.
Untreated BPH can cause chronic urinary retention, bladder overdistension, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Over time, these complications can impair kidney function, leading to hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidneys) and, if severe, chronic kidney disease. Early treatment helps prevent these serious outcomes.
Both conditions can cause urinary urgency, weak stream, and nighttime urination. However, prostate cancer may present with blood in the urine or semen, a hard or irregular area on a digital rectal exam, and symptoms that worsen over time rather than improve. If you notice any new or worsening symptoms, especially blood in urine or a sudden change in urinary patterns, schedule a PSA test and a digital rectal exam to rule out cancer.===
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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