BPH Treatment in Bend, OR
What Is BPH?
BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) is an enlarged prostate gland. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra and assists in reproduction. As men age, the prostate gets larger, in fact most older men have BPH to some degree, and about half of men over 75 experience BPH symptoms. BPH is a very minor condition and is not related to prostate cancer, however, symptoms can cause discomfort and be inconvenient.
Dr. Andrew Neeb is an expert in diagnosing and treating BPH. If you’re experiencing symptoms of BPH in the Bend, OR area, contact Oregon Men’s Health today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Neeb. Give our office a call or request an appointment through our secure online form.
What are the Symptoms of BPH?
When the prostate gets enlarged, it begins to put pressure on the bladder and urethra. A lot of the symptoms of BPH tend to relate to urination. Here are the 7 most commons symptoms:
- Difficulty starting urination. The enlarged prostate messes with the pressure of your bladder to pass urine. This can have damaging effects on your kidneys.
- Weak urine stream. As the urethra becomes constrained, urine passes at a much slower rate.
- Urgent need to urinate. You may go from not needing to urinate to suddenly needing to go because of how the bladder gets constrained.
- Issues with sleeping. Pressure from the enlarged prostate can mess with nerve signaling in the middle of the night. This leads to you thinking you have to urinate when you don’t.
- Feeling the inability to completely empty your bladder. You may not be able to completely empty your bladder which can lead to UTI and stone issues.
- Urinary tract infection. This is caused by the urine that sits in your bladder which you can’t fully empty, creating an environment for bacteria to thrive.
- Bladder stones. The leftover urine can also crystallize to create bladder stones.
BPH simply can cause these symptoms to happen, but having these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have BPH. There are many reasons why you may have urinary issues. Talk to your urologist about a proper diagnosis.
What is the Treatment for BPH?
Lifestyle changes and medications are often the first options recommended for men that experience mild symptoms caused by BPH. Reducing liquid intake, avoiding stimulants, and practicing pelvic floor strengthening exercises can all help patients regain a bit more control over their urinary functions, while some forms medications have shown to slow or completely stop the growth of the prostate.
Through new technological advancements within the healthcare industry, there are many minimally invasive procedures available to men suffering from more considerable urinary difficulties. These include:
- Transurethral microwave therapy
- High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
- Rezūm™ Water Vapor Therapy
- The UroLift® System
In some instances, Dr. Neeb may suggest surgery to offer patients with a more complex case of BPH to achieve effective relief from their symptoms. These traditional surgical procedures include transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) as well as transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP).
BPH FAQs
It is not perfectly clear as to what leads the prostate to grow larger and larger during a man’s life. Significant growth during puberty is expected and completely normal, though research shows that the prostate again begins slowly increasing in size from age 25 and continues throughout the man’s life.
Since gradual prostate growth is consistent among a large majority of men, it is extremely common for this condition to be diagnosed in those of an older age. Statistically speaking, BPH affects:
- 20% of men over 50
- 60% of men over 60
- 70% of men over 70
- 90% of men over 80
In addition to age, other risk factors include having a family history of BPH, being obese, leading a sedentary lifestyle that does not include regular exercise, having type 2 diabetes, and experiencing erectile dysfunction.
Men typically have the health of their prostate evaluated during yearly physical examinations with their physician. This simple screening is often able to detect superficial abnormalities of the prostate, such as unusually large sizing.
Patients who schedule a consultation with Dr. Neeb regarding BPH will begin by thoroughly discussing their symptoms, personal medical history, and family medical history. A physical evaluation is often performed as well, and additional diagnostic tests may be ordered to analyze the functionality of the patient’s urinary system.
Not necessarily. Some patients may elect to hold off on treating their enlarged prostate and instead choose to monitor the progression of their symptoms over time. Dr. Neeb will typically suggest more frequent checkups to regularly assess the health of the prostate and determine if the patient’s BPH is worsening.
While men can choose to avoid treating their BPH, it is highly encouraged to speak with a specialist about treatment options if symptoms caused by the condition are negatively affecting daily tasks and activities.
Most patients will not experience severe complications caused by an enlarged prostate. However, it is entirely possible for BPH to lead to daily dysfunctions in a man’s life as he struggles to manage worsening symptoms, or for this condition to lead to significant damage to the kidneys, urinary tract, or bladder.
No. Because BPH is a benign condition, its symptoms have absolutely nothing to do with cancerous cell growth of the prostate.
Have Other Questions About BPH for Dr. Neeb?
Reach out to Dr. Neeb to schedule a consultation or request an appointment online.