At some point in their lives, nearly all men will experience some degree of prostate enlargement. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a very common condition where the prostate has grown enough to cause noticeable symptoms. While this condition is noncancerous and does not mean there’s an increased risk for prostate cancer in the future, it can still affect a person’s quality of life. Understanding the risk factors can help you be proactive with your health and potentially delay the onset of symptoms.
What Are BPH Symptoms?
“As a man ages, the prostate enlarges, and that size grows around the urethra and obstructs urinary drainage,” says Stephen J. Summers, MD, a urologist at University of Utah ǿմý. “As a result, it causes your bladder to have to work harder in order to empty the urine, and that manifests in many different symptoms.”
Common symptoms of BPH include:
- Urinary incontinence
- Difficulty starting your urine stream
- Feeling like you can’t totally empty your bladder
- A weak stream or dribbling while urinating
- Needing to suddenly and urgently pee
- Frequent nighttime urination
Am I at Risk for BPH?
BPH is extremely common. If you have a prostate, then you are at risk for developing the condition. But the following factors indicate a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with this condition:
- Age: Since the prostate gland grows larger as men get older, age is the most significant risk factor for BPH. In fact, about will have BPH symptoms by age 60, and that number skyrockets to 90% for men who reach age 85.
- Family history: If a first-degree relative, such as your father or brother, has been diagnosed with BPH, then you are more likely to develop it as well.
- Hormonal imbalances: As men age, they can experience changes in hormones such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can contribute to prostate enlargement.
- Sedentary lifestyle: Exercise helps reduce inflammation and improves blood circulation, which are important factors in maintaining prostate health. Simply going for a walk each day can positively impact your overall wellness, including lowering the risk of BPH.
- Dietary habits: Men who eat a lot of red meat, foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats, and processed foods have a higher risk of developing BPH. Eating a heart-healthy diet made up of lean proteins, vegetables, whole grains, and fruit can keep prostate enlargement at bay.
- Obesity: Weight can put pressure on the bladder and make BPH symptoms worse. It’s also associated with high inflammation and poor circulation, which are other issues that can lead to the development of BPH.
- Underlying health conditions: Diabetes and heart disease have been associated with a higher risk of BPH, as these conditions share risk factors such as obesity, poor dietary habits, and lack of exercise.
- Other lifestyle factors: Unhealthy habits such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption can lead to BPH.
Don’t Wait to See a Doctor
Regular screenings, especially for men over the age of 40 or those with a family history of prostate disease, can help you stay on top of your prostate health, or catch more serious issues like prostate cancer much sooner.
Even though BPH is very common, don’t wait until your symptoms have negatively affected your quality of life before seeking medical care.
“What happens as a result of unmanaged BPH is the muscle in the bladder gets thicker and stiffer, and those changes are permanent,” Summers says. “I see patients all the time who have put it off for years and years, but if we can treat it earlier, we can prevent the bladder dysfunction and kidney damage that occurs as a result of it.”
