The prostate is a walnut-shaped organ located at the base of the bladder (bladder neck). It surrounds the urethra in men, and its main function is to supply necessary fluid to male ejaculate. It supplies up to 70% of the fluid that makes up semen, and thus plays an important role in male sexual health.
As men age, the prostate enlarges, a condition known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). BPH is common in men; in fact, after the age of 40, most men have some degree of enlargement of the prostate, with the percentage of men affected increasing with age. This benign enlargement can cause urinary symptoms in some men. This is due to the prostate applying pressure to the bladder and/or urethra. Symptoms may include bladder weakness, a weak or dribbling urine stream, a frequent or urgent need to urinate, and nocturia (frequent nighttime urination).
How is the condition treated? If symptoms are not too severe, a watch-and-wait approach may suffice, with frequent check-ups as needed to monitor the condition. For men bothered by urinary symptoms, medications may be tried to reduce urinary symptoms. These drugs are aimed at shrinking the prostate or slowing its growth; some relax muscles near the prostate gland, reducing urgency and frequency.
Surgery is generally reserved for severe enlargement or cases that are not amenable to medication therapy. The most common surgical procedure for an enlarged prostate is a TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate), in which excess tissue is trimmed from the prostate via an instrument passed through the urethra. This type of surgery is usually successful and has a low incidence of incontinence and impotence following. However, no surgery is without risk, and men considering any surgical procedure for prostate enlargement should know the potential risks and perceived benefits before undergoing any procedure.
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Tags: BPH, causes of urinary incontinence, incontinence in men, prostate gland
