Prostate Enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy) and its Symptoms

Prostate plays a very important role in male reproductive system but men health issues are very often directly associated with enlarged prostate gland and its symptoms severity of which grow with ages. In majority of men the prostate gland enlarges after age of 50. The causes of prostate enlargement also known as the benign prostatic hypertrophy are not exactly known although it is most common of all prostate disorders and diseases. Prostate gland grows in two phases: the first prostate enlargement takes place during male puberty and the second phase starts after age of 20 years and lasts for lifetime although it usually does not represent any problems until the age of 50 years. However, the number of men with prostate enlargement problems or symptoms grows with the age. After the age of 60 years over 50% of all male population has either symptoms or problems with prostate enlargement, while after age of 70 years over 90% of men are affected by benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Prostate enlargement eventually reaches the point when it can not enlarge anymore without causing the pressure on the urethra and bladder. When sufficiently large the prostate gland obstructs the normal urinary flow by compressing the urethra canal causing the urinary retention what in long term results numerous health problems including urinary tract infections, bladder stones, incontinence, and bladder and kidney failure. For that reason is very important to pay attention on health of the prostate and if having symptoms of prostate enlargement immediately visit a professional medical practitioner.

Prostate enlargement problems often start without any symptoms and gradually progress. Thus affected men often do not even notice the changes while urinating or consider them as normal process of aging. However, if having any of following symptoms one probably has enlarged prostate gland:

frequent urination (every two hours or less)
irregular need to urinate
incomplete bladder emptying
hesitancy
nocturia (need to urinate during the night)
weak urinary flow
post-urination dribble
painful urination
prolonged emptying of the bladder
incontinence (unintentional leakage of urine)
abdominal pain