What Is BPH? (Prostate Enlargement)

As men age, their prostate gland may start changing and even expand, leading to BPH or prostate enlargement. At Masel Urology Center in Hollywood, FL, Dr. Jonathan Masel can help you manage your prostate enlargement (BPH), and reduce your symptoms. Understanding this problem can help you better prepare for your treatment and avoid any severe and lingering health issues.

What is BPH?

BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, often occurs in many men as they age. This is because the prostate gland enlarges inside the body and causes various symptoms. This situation occurs because of natural aging processes but may also occur due to injuries and other problems.

Though many men live comfortably with this disease for years, others may develop urinary tract, kidney, and bladder issues that may cause urinary problems or even some sexual side effects. Treatments include drugs, minimally invasive therapies, and surgery to restore your prostate.

BPH Symptoms to Watch

If you think you have prostate enlargement (BPH) in Hollywood, FL, but aren't sure, it is essential to understand the many symptoms this condition causes. Typically, BPH will cause:

  • Frequent urination
  • Night urination
  • Urination troubles
  • Weak urine stream
  • Urination dribbling
  • Troubles emptying the bladder
  • Bloody urine (rare)
  • Urination inability (rare)
  • Urination tract infection (rare)

In some cases, a prostate may naturally shrink over time and require minimal treatment options. However, other men may need more hands-on care or other treatments to help with related prostate and bladder issues.

Other Problems That May Cause These Symptoms

While you may have BPH if you experience these symptoms, there's also a chance that you may have other health concerns. You can still work with the same medical team to address many of these diseases. However, understanding them can help you better prepare for your potential care:

  • Urinary Tract Infections (UI)
  • Prostate Inflammation (Prostatitis)
  • Surgical Bladder Neck Scarring
  • Kidney or Bladder Stone Development
  • Urethra Narrowing (Urethral Stricture)
  • Bladder Nerve Malfunction or Damage
  • Prostate or Bladder Cancers

If you're worried about any of these more severe health risks, talk with your prostate specialist to get tested. They can diagnose what is happening to you, figure out why you have these symptoms, and brainstorm a treatment that minimizes the risks of worsening symptoms.

How is BPH treated? 

There are many avenues we can go down to treat your BPH, and our Hollywood, FL, team will look at several factors, including our age, the size of your prostate, and your overall health, to determine the best treatment options. Medications such as alpha-blockers or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are often the first line of defense against BPH.

If you are dealing with blocked urinary flow due to BPH, our team may recommend a surgical laser procedure known as holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). The laser removes some tissue from the prostate to restore urinary flow. This procedure is minimally invasive and does not require any incisions. If medication hasn’t provided you with optimal results, laser surgery may be the next option.

There are several types of surgeries, apart from laser surgery, that can be used if you are dealing with moderate to severe symptoms that aren’t responding to symptoms or if you also have blood in the urine or kidney problems. Some common types of surgeries to treat BPH include,

  • Transurethral resection of the prostate
  • Transurethral incision of the prostate
  • Transurethral microwave thermotherapy
  • Transurethral needle ablation

Avoiding BPH and Other Prostate Problems

Don't hesitate to contact Masel Urology Center in Hollywood, FL, and Dr. Masel if you experience prostate enlargement (BPH). Call us at (954) 961-7500 to set up an appointment and learn more about how this problem affects you. You can then work with a skilled physician to get relief and avoid long-term concerns. We'll do what we can to help you recover from this often embarrassing prostate health problem.

Our Location

4030 Sheridan St. Suite C Hollywood, FL, 33021

Office Hours

*Can be subject to change due to COVID

Masel Urology Center

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:30 am-2:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed