June 4, 2024

Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) a Serious Condition?

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition affecting men as they age. BPH is enlargement of the prostate gland due to cell growth and hormonal imbalance that happens as men age.

At what age do men get BPH? Research suggests that BPH is diagnosed in:

1. Around 50% of men between 51 to 60 years of age
2. Around 70% of men between 60 to 69 years of age 
3. Around 80% of men above the age of 70 years.

 

Anatomy and Function of the Prostate

The prostate is a tiny gland located underneath the bladder and wraps the urethra. The prostate's main function is to produce seminal fluid, which sustains and transports sperm during ejaculation.

What Happens in BPH?

As men get older, hormonal changes can cause the prostate cells to grow and multiply, leading to an enlarged prostate. This growth can squeeze or partially block the urethra. When the prostate grows large enough to cause issues, it can be diagnosed as BPH. The growth can squeeze or partially block the urethra, weakening the bladder. This may cause the bladder to lose its ability to empty fully, leading to several lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) of BPH.

Symptoms of BPH

The symptoms of BPH vary but generally involve changes in urination patterns. Some common symptoms are:

1. Urgency to urinate: A sudden and intense need to urinate.
2. Having trouble urinating: Difficulty initiating the flow of urine.
3. Weak or interrupted urine stream: A stream that starts and stops or is weaker than usual.
4. Dribbling at the end of urination: After urinating, dribbling occurs when urine continues to trickle out despite finishing.
5. Inability to empty the bladder: Feeling like the bladder isn't fully emptied.

 

Causes of BPH

The development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is not fully understood, but research suggests that it is associated with age-related hormonal changes, particularly involving testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The balance of these hormones shift as men get older, which can stimulate prostate cell growth.

Risk Factors

There are several factors that can increase the risk of developing BPH, including:

1. Age: BPH is rare in men under 40 but becomes more common as men age.
2. Family history: A family history of prostate problems can increase the risk.
3. Lifestyle: Obesity, lack of exercise, and certain dietary habits might contribute to BPH.
4. Medical conditions: Diabetes and heart disease have been linked to a higher risk of BPH.

 

How is BPH diagnosed?

To diagnose BPH, healthcare providers typically perform:

1. Medical history and symptom assessment: Discussing symptoms and overall health.
2. Digital rectal exam (DRE): The doctor feels the prostate through the rectal wall to assess its size.
3. Urine tests: To rule out infections or other conditions.
4. Blood tests: Including a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to rule out prostate cancer.
5. Imaging: Ultrasound or other imaging tests to visualize the prostate.
6. Urodynamic tests: Measuring the bladder's function and the urine flow rate.

 

Treatment Options for BPH

Treatment for BPH varies based on symptom severity and impact on quality of life. Options include:

Watchful waiting:

Monitoring symptoms if they are mild and not particularly bothersome.

Medications

1. Alpha-blockers: De-stress the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck to stimulate urination.
2. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: Block hormonal changes to reduce the size of the prostate.
3. Combination therapy: Using both types of medications together or using natural testosterone boosters that do both.

 

Minimally invasive procedures

1. Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT): TUMT uses microwave energy to shrink the prostate.
2. Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA): The TUNA procedure utilizes radiofrequency energy to eliminate extra prostate tissue.

 

Surgery:

Considered for severe symptoms or complications:

1. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): Removing part of the prostate through the urethra.
2. Laser surgery: Vaporizing or removing prostate tissue with laser energy.

 

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Certain lifestyle changes, in addition to medical treatments, can help in managing BPH symptoms:

1. Fluid management: Reducing fluid intake, especially before bedtime.
2. Dietary adjustments: Limiting caffeine and alcohol, which can irritate the bladder.
3. Bladder training: Practicing exercises to improve bladder control.
4. Physical activity: Regular exercise can help manage symptoms and improve overall health.

 

Integrating Andropique into BPH Management

Natural testosterone boosters like Andropique offer a complementary approach to managing BPH symptoms. Andropique works by increasing testosterone levels, which can help counteract the hormonal imbalances that contribute to prostate enlargement.

1. Mechanism of Action: Andropique acts as an aromatase and 5α-reductase inhibitor, preventing the conversion of testosterone to estrogen and DHT. This helps reduce prostate cell proliferation and potentially decrease prostate size.
2. Clinical Benefits: Clinical trials have shown that Andropique significantly improves testosterone levels and body composition, which can positively impact prostate health.
3. Dosage and Use: It is recommended to take a single capsule of Andropique daily, 30-60 minutes before a meal, to achieve optimal results.

By incorporating Andropique into their daily regimen, men can potentially improve their prostate health and reduce the severity of BPH symptoms.

What will happen if BPH is left untreated?

While BPH is not cancerous and usually not life-threatening. However, if left untreated, severe cases may result in complications such as:

1. Urinary retention: Inability to urinate, which can become a medical emergency.
2. Bladder damage: Overstretching and weakening of the bladder muscle.
3. Kidney damage: Due to backpressure from a full bladder.
4. Bladder stones: From concentrated urine left in the bladder.

 

Takeaway

BPH is a common condition among ageing men, but various effective treatments are available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Alongside lifestyle changes, natural supplements like Andropique can enhance the management of BPH symptoms. If you have symptoms of BPH, it's crucial to seek advice from a healthcare professional to receive an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment options.

References

1. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/enlarged-prostate-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-bph#:~:text=But%20because%20enlarged%20prostate%2C%20or,over%2070%20years%20of%20age.
2. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/prostate-problems/prostate-enlargement-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia#:~:text=Benign%20prostatic%20hyperplasia%E2%80%94also%20called,hypertrophy%20or%20benign%20prostatic%20obstruction.
3. https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/b/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-(bph)