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What Is BPH? An Enlarged Prostate in Plain Words
BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. The NIDDK reports it affects 5 to 6 percent of men aged 40 to 64 and 29 to 33 percent of those 65 and older. Scientists do not fully know why it occurs, and the symptoms do not always match the size of the gland.
Written by the Prostadine label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The basics01
What is BPH?
BPH stands for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Benign means not cancer. Hyperplasia means the gland has grown through an increase in cells.
The prostate sits below the bladder and wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out. When the gland grows, it can squeeze that tube and make passing urine harder.
BPH does not turn into prostate cancer, although the two can occur together, and some of the symptoms overlap. That overlap is a reason to see a doctor and not to guess.
The evidence02
How common is it?
| Age group | Share of men affected |
|---|---|
| 40 to 64 | 5% to 6% |
| 65 and older | 29% to 33% |
These figures are from the NIDDK (NIDDK, Enlarged Prostate (BPH)). They explain why prostate products target older men, and why a symptom in a man in his fifties or sixties is so often put down to the gland.
The numbers03
What causes it?
Scientists do not fully know why it occurs. The NIDDK says aging and changes in hormones are suspected, and that no link between diet or nutrition and the cause of BPH has been shown (NIDDK, Enlarged Prostate (BPH)).
That last point matters when a product says it has found a root cause. Where the main public source says the cause is not fully known, a claim of a settled cause deserves a question about its source.
The catch04
What are the signs?
- Trouble starting a stream, or a weak or interrupted stream.
- Getting up at night to pass urine.
- A sudden urge, or a feeling that the bladder is not empty.
- Dribbling at the end of urination.
The NIDDK notes that symptom severity does not always match the size of the prostate (NIDDK, Enlarged Prostate (BPH)). A man with a modestly enlarged gland can have bad symptoms, and the reverse can be true.
Safety05
What else can cause the same signs?
Many things. Urinary infections, prostatitis, bladder problems, diabetes, nerve conditions, constipation and some medicines such as decongestants and antihistamines can all cause weak flow or frequency. That is why a doctor starts with questions, a urine test and an exam, before concluding it is BPH.
Prostatitis, an inflammation of the gland, can look similar, and can be sudden and severe with fever and chills (NIDDK, Prostatitis).
What to do06
What does a doctor do to find out?
The usual start is a conversation about symptoms and medicines, a symptom score, a urine test to look for infection or blood and a physical exam that may include a gentle check of the prostate through the rectum. Blood tests can include kidney function and, after discussion, PSA. Some men have a scan to look at bladder emptying and the size of the gland.
None of this is painful in a lasting way, and most is quick. The exam is brief. It is the part many men delay, and it is also the part that tells the doctor the most about how the gland feels and whether it needs more testing.
Bring a list of medicines and a short note of your symptoms, with the score if you have one. The visit goes faster and the answers are better.
On the label07
When should a doctor look?
Seek care promptly for being unable to pass urine, blood in the urine, burning with fever and chills, or severe pain low in the abdomen. For milder, slower symptoms, a visit is still wise, since the Urology Care Foundation notes that doctors use a symptom score and may choose monitoring, medicines, office procedures or surgery depending on severity (Urology Care Foundation, BPH).
Our prostate basics page and the symptom check help you prepare for that visit.
FAQ08
Prostadine questions people ask
Is BPH cancer?
No. BPH is a benign, non-cancerous enlargement. It does not turn into cancer, though both can occur together, so symptoms deserve a doctor's assessment.
How common is BPH in older men?
The NIDDK reports 29 to 33 percent of men aged 65 and older, against 5 to 6 percent of those aged 40 to 64.
Does diet cause an enlarged prostate?
The NIDDK reports no proven dietary cause. Healthy habits still help overall health.
Can an enlarged prostate cause no symptoms?
Yes. Symptom severity does not always match gland size, so some men have a large prostate and few symptoms, and others the reverse.
Who wrote this09
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the bottle photos, the info page and linked NIH, FDA, NCI, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a licensed U.S. retail desk for Prostadine, not by the manufacturer. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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