Understanding BPH
You’re not alone. Millions of men experience enlarged prostate symptoms.
What is BPH?
If you’re getting up multiple times each night to use the bathroom, struggling with a weak urine stream, or feeling like your bladder never fully empties, you might be experiencing Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, commonly known as BPH.
BPH simply means your prostate gland has grown larger than normal. Think of it like this: your prostate sits around your urethra (the tube that carries urine from your bladder) like a donut around a straw. As the prostate grows, it can squeeze that “straw,” making it harder for urine to flow freely.
The Good News
BPH is benign, which means it’s not cancer. It’s a natural part of aging for many men, and there are excellent treatment options available to help you get back to living comfortably.
Understanding Your Prostate
Your prostate is a walnut-sized gland that’s part of your reproductive system. Located just below your bladder and in front of your rectum, it wraps around the urethra like a sleeve. Its main job is to produce fluid that helps protect and nourish sperm.
Your prostate goes through two main growth periods during your lifetime. The first happens during puberty, and the second begins around age 25 and continues throughout your life. It’s during this second phase that BPH typically develops.
BPH by the Numbers
50%
Men over 50 experience BPH symptoms
80%
Men over 70 have an enlarged prostate
90%
Men over 80 experience BPH
See how men regain quality of life by choosing Aquablation therapy for BPH relief
Recognizing the Signs
BPH symptoms often develop gradually, so you might not notice them at first. Many men initially dismiss these changes as just “getting older,” but you don’t have to accept poor quality of life as inevitable.
Nighttime Disruptions
Waking up 2 or more times per night to urinate (called nocturia). This can significantly impact your sleep quality and energy levels during the day.
Urination Difficulties
Trouble starting urination, weak or interrupted urine stream, straining to urinate, or feeling like you can’t completely empty your bladder.
Frequent Urgency
Sudden, intense urges to urinate that are difficult to delay, or needing to urinate every 1-2 hours during the day.
Bladder Fullness
Feeling like your bladder is never completely empty, even immediately after urinating, or experiencing dribbling after you finish.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Contact your doctor right away if you experience blood in your urine, pain or burning during urination, or complete inability to urinate. These symptoms require prompt medical evaluation.
How BPH Affects Your Daily Life
Living with BPH is more than just a medical condition—it can impact every aspect of your daily routine. Many men find themselves:
Planning their day around bathrooms: Mapping out where restrooms are located before going anywhere, avoiding long car trips, or choosing aisle seats at movies and events.
Experiencing sleep disruption: Frequent nighttime urination can leave you feeling tired and irritable during the day, affecting your work performance and relationships.
Feeling anxious or embarrassed: Worrying about urgency in social situations or avoiding certain activities altogether.
Dealing with potential complications: Untreated BPH can lead to urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney problems, or complete urinary retention.
You Don’t Have to Live This Way
Many men suffer in silence, thinking these symptoms are just part of getting older. The truth is, effective treatments are available that can significantly improve your quality of life and help you get back to doing the things you enjoy.
What Causes BPH?
While we don’t completely understand why some men develop BPH and others don’t, research has identified several contributing factors:
Age and Hormones
As you age, the balance of hormones in your body changes. Testosterone levels gradually decrease while estrogen levels may remain steady or even increase proportionally. Some researchers believe this hormonal shift may contribute to prostate cell growth.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
DHT is a hormone derived from testosterone that plays a crucial role in prostate development. Even as overall testosterone levels decline with age, DHT can accumulate in the prostate and stimulate continued cell growth.
Risk Factors You Should Know
Family History: If your father or brother had BPH, you’re more likely to develop it too.
Lifestyle Factors: Being overweight or obese may increase your risk, as excess body fat can affect hormone levels.
Diet: Some studies suggest that diets high in animal fats and low in fruits and vegetables may increase BPH risk.
Getting a Diagnosis
If you’re experiencing symptoms that might be related to BPH, the first step is talking with your healthcare provider. At Conway Medical Center, our team understands that discussing these symptoms can feel uncomfortable, but remember—we see these issues every day, and we’re here to help.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Medical History Review: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, when they started, and how they’re affecting your daily life. Be honest about the impact on your sleep, work, and relationships.
Physical Examination: This may include a digital rectal exam (DRE), which allows your doctor to feel the size and condition of your prostate. While this may feel awkward, it’s a quick and important part of the evaluation.
Diagnostic Tests: Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend tests such as:
- PSA blood test to screen for prostate cancer
- Urinalysis to check for infection
- Uroflowmetry to measure your urine flow rate
- Ultrasound to assess prostate size and bladder emptying
- Cystoscopy to view the inside of your urethra and bladder
BPH Symptom Score
Your doctor may use the American Urological Association (AUA) BPH Symptom Score Index—a questionnaire that helps determine the severity of your symptoms and guide treatment decisions.
Treatment Options Available at Conway Medical Center
The good news is that BPH is highly treatable. There is a comprehensive range of treatment options, from lifestyle modifications to advanced surgical procedures. The goal of your urologist is to find the right approach for your specific situation and lifestyle.
Advanced Treatment: Aquablation Therapy
Conway Medical Center is proud to be the only provider in the Myrtle Beach area offering Aquablation therapy—a revolutionary robotic-assisted, heat-free waterjet treatment for BPH.
What makes Aquablation different? This advanced procedure combines real-time ultrasound imaging with robotic precision to remove prostate tissue while preserving the areas responsible for sexual and urinary function. Clinical studies show exceptional results with very low rates of side effects like erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory problems, and incontinence.
Aquablation offers the precision of robotic technology with the personalized approach you deserve. Most patients experience rapid recovery and can return to normal activities within 2-3 weeks.
Personalized Treatment Planning
At Conway Medical Center, we believe every patient is unique. Our Atlantic Urology specialists work with you to develop a treatment plan that considers your symptoms, lifestyle, overall health, and personal preferences. We’re committed to helping you make informed decisions about your care.
Prevention and Healthy Living
While you can’t completely prevent BPH, certain lifestyle choices may help reduce your risk or slow its progression:
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Excess body fat can increase hormone levels that contribute to prostate growth. Regular exercise and a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help you maintain a healthy weight.
Stay Active
Regular physical activity helps control weight and hormone levels. Even moderate exercise like walking 30 minutes a day can make a difference.
Eat a Prostate-Healthy Diet
Focus on foods rich in antioxidants like tomatoes, berries, leafy greens, and fish. Limit red meat and high-fat dairy products.
Manage Other Health Conditions
Keep conditions like diabetes and heart disease under control, as they can affect prostate health.
Take the Next Step
Don’t let BPH control your life. At Conway Medical Center, we’re here to help you find relief and get back to living comfortably.
Already diagnosed with BPH? Call our Atlantic Urology specialists directly.
Experiencing symptoms? Start with your CMC Primary Care provider.
