To piggyback off of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September, it is the perfect time to discuss "BPH."
BPH stands for benign prostatic hypertrophy. To simplify this definition, it is a natural age-related growth of the prostate gland that is influenced by hormones.
Why is this important? The prostate is located under the urinary bladder, and it makes up the innermost portion of the urethra. So, if you’re a middle-aged man, and you’re no longer going to the bathroom to “put out the fire” or “punish the porcelain” but instead “tinkle”, the answer may have something to do with the size of the prostate.
The American Urological Association (AUA) has estimated that 70% of men are affected by BPH in their 60s and 80% after age 70. Similarly, the European and Korean UrEpik study reported that the prevalence of potentially troublesome male urinary symptoms increases by 10% per decade from 40-79 years of age.
Even though we label this process as benign, it should not be ignored. Untreated BPH can lead to damage to the urinary tract over time – particularly the bladder. If you are a man who is having urinary symptoms including weak stream, frequency, urgency, and hesitancy, don’t forget to mention this to your healthcare provider.
At Prairie Lakes Urology, we can evaluate and determine which (if any) treatment is necessary to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your urinary system. Call the Prairie Lakes Urology Clinic at 605-882-7777 to schedule a consult today.