Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a degenerative condition common in men over 50. This condition occurs when the prostate gland enlarges and presses on the urethra, interfering with urination.
To make it easier to recognize this disease, here is a complete explanation of the symptoms, causes, and how to treat it.
Symptoms of Benign Prostate Enlargement to Watch Out For
Some symptoms that could be signs of this disease are:
1. Rushing to the toilet when you need to urinate
The most common symptom is that you have to hurry if you want to urinate.
2. Weak and Intermittent Urinary Stream
You can also check your urine flow when urinating. Benign prostatic enlargement can block the flow of urine, resulting in a weak and intermittent stream.
3. Frequent Urination at Night
Another symptom of benign prostatic hyperplasia is frequent urination at night. This can include five to ten urination times per night. One urination per night may be normal, but five to ten times can be disruptive to both the man and his partner. Having to go to the bathroom every hour is a shame, as it wakes up his wife.
4. Urinating for Too Long
Benign prostatic enlargement also causes urination to take longer than in people without the condition. For example, upon leaving a movie theater, audience members often go straight to the restroom to urinate.
People with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) take longer to urinate. When others have already used the restroom, those with BPH still haven't finished urinating, forcing others to wait in line.
Understanding Benign Prostate Enlargement
The prostate gland is an organ found exclusively in men and located at the base of the penis. Many people mistakenly confuse the prostate with the testicles, but they are actually different.
Prostate enlargement most commonly occurs in men aged 50 and over, especially between the ages of 60 and 70. An enlarged prostate gland can interfere with urine flow, and cases are increasing.
Why is Prostate Enlargement Common in the Elderly?
The prostate naturally enlarges with age. Research shows that:
- Approximately 70% of men aged 60-70 years experience prostate enlargement.
- Cases start to appear from the age of 50, although the number is smaller.
- BPH is almost never found in young people (20-40 years) because the condition in this age group is usually related to infection, not enlargement.
The majority of BPH cases are benign, although a small percentage can develop into prostate cancer, which requires different treatment.
What Should You Do If You Have Benign Prostate Enlargement?
1. Improve your lifestyle
Some drinks can trigger frequent urination, especially caffeinated drinks such as coffee and tea.
It is recommended to avoid consuming caffeine after 4:00 PM, as its effects can last 11–15 hours.
2. Routine Check-ups After Age 50
Perform a check-up during a medical check-up (MCU), especially if:
- Experiencing symptoms of urination.
- Having a family history, for example a father with a history of BPH.
Early detection allows for more effective treatment.
3. Drug Therapy
If symptoms worsen, your doctor may prescribe medication to help relax the prostate muscles or reduce its size.
4. Surgical Action
Surgery is performed if the patient cannot urinate at all or experiences complications such as:
- Recurrent infections
- Bloody urine
- Total urinary retention
Nowadays, surgical procedures are usually performed using minimally invasive methods using endoscopy, eliminating the need for open surgery.
When Should You See a Doctor?
See a doctor immediately if you experience increasingly disturbing symptoms of an enlarged prostate, such as difficulty starting urination, a weaker urine stream, frequently waking up at night to urinate, or pain or blood in the urine.
Early medical examinations help doctors determine the exact cause and provide appropriate treatment before the condition develops complications. If you have risk factors such as being over 50 or having a family history of BPH, regular checkups are highly recommended to prevent the condition from worsening and maintain an optimal quality of life.
This article is based on the Healthy Monday program, a collaboration between EMC Healthcare and Liputan6, with speakers Dr. Gideon FP Tampubolon, Sp.U (Urologic Surgery Specialist at EMC Grha Kedoya Hospital) and Dr. Isaac Ardianson Deswanto, BMedSc, SpU, FICS (Urologic Surgery Specialist at EMC Alam Sutera & Tangerang Hospital).