Enlarged Prostate

Enlarged Prostate known as Bladder Outlet Obstruction or Benign Prostate Hypertropy (BPH). As men age many will have problems with a growing prostate. The can cause problems when it interferes with the ability to pass urine from the bladder. Enlarged prostate symptoms occur in more than half of all men between age 51 and 60, and in more than 80 percent of men over age 80.Enlarged prostate is not cancer and has not been shown to lead to cancer. This condition does cause painful and uncomfortable symptoms and may lead to more serious health problems. Symptoms may include difficult or painful urination, frequent need to urinate, weak urine flow, urinary incontinence and interference with sexual activity.

DIAGNOSIS

If you are suffering from a slowing urinary flow, you may have an enlarged prostate. Call Urology Associates for an appointment and evaluation. The evaluation may include a questionnaire developed by the American Urological Association that addresses your symptoms, a urine test called a urinalysis, a thorough medical history, a physical examination and a blood test. Depending on the severity of your condition, other tests may be offered:

  • A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test helps check for prostate cancer, which can cause the same symptoms as enlarged prostate.
  • A digital rectal exam (DRE) checks the size and firmness of the prostate.
  • A urinalysis and urine culture checks for a urinary tract infection that might be the cause of the symptoms.
  • A blood creatinine test checks how well your kidneys are working.
  • A measurement of post-void residual volume (PVR) determines the amount of urine left in the bladder after urinating.
  • Uroflowmetry, or urine flow study, measures how fast urine flows when you urinate.
  • Cystoscopy is a direct look in the urethra and/or bladder using a small flexible scope.
  • A urodynamic pressure-flow study tests the pressure inside the bladder during urination.
  • An ultrasound may be used to check the kidneys or the prostate.

TREATMENT

Our urologists use this information to determine the most effective treatment for our patients. Many patients will benefit from medications only.

If medications fail there are surgical interventions, most done on an outpatient basis or even in our office, that can correct problems passing urine.