Who's at Risk for BPH, and Is It Preventable?

If you’re around enough older men, you’ll eventually hear some prostate talk — getting up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and having to urinate far more frequently are often the bigger complaints. And you wonder: Is an enlarged prostate, or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), an inevitable part of your future? 

The short answer is maybe, and the long answer is that the odds aren’t in your favor — 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60 have BPH, and this number jumps to 80% over the age of 70.

As experts in men’s health and urology, you’ve come to the right place to learn more about BPH, a condition that our Arizona Urology team treats regularly. So, if you’re hoping to avoid this common condition, read on to learn about risk factors and whether prevention is possible.

Behind BPH

Your prostate is a small gland that produces the fluid in your semen. The gland is about the size of a walnut and encircles your urethra just below your bladder. In other words, this part of your urinary tract runs through the middle of your prostate. The reason for this proximity is that your prostate releases the fluid into your urethra to mix in with your sperm, forming your ejaculate.

When you first go through puberty, your prostate enters its primary growth phase. As you get older and your hormone levels change, it can spur more cell growth in the gland, kicking off another growth spurt, albeit a slower one. 

Gradually, this slow growth in your prostate can start to press against your urethra and interfere with function, often leading to:

• More frequent urination
• Trouble initiating urination
• A weak stream of urine
• Urinary incontinence
• Trouble holding your bladder

If your prostate grows large enough, it can block your urethra entirely, which can lead to severe issues such as kidney damage.

Risk factors for BPH

Is BPH preventable? The short answer is not likely. We’re not saying that BPH is a rite of passage for every male, but given that 80% of men over the age of 70 have the issue, the odds aren’t in your favor if you’re hoping to dodge the problem.

That said, it’s important to note that many men have BPH upon examination, but they don’t have symptoms. Also, there are other risk factors for BPH aside from age, such as:

• A family history of BPH
• Lack of exercise
• Pre-existing health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes
• Carrying too many pounds

While you can’t change your family history, you can address these other areas to reduce your risks of developing problematic BPH. For example, losing weight and exercising more can benefit your health on every level and also relieve pressure on your urinary tract.

Treating your BPH

While you may not be able to prevent BPH, the good news is that there are more solutions than ever before to treat the issue, and we offer most of them here. 

From removing blockages in your urethra through Urolift® or using advanced laser technology to remove excess prostate tissue, we have a wide range of effective treatment options that will get your urination back on track.

If you have more questions about BPH, we invite you to contact one of our locations in Phoenix, Goodyear, Gilbert, or Glendale, Arizona, to schedule a consultation.