Enlarged Prostate

Enlarged prostate, also called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH, is one of the most common prostate conditions that impacts aging men.

As men age, prostate problems become more and more common. The board-certified urology team at Rutland Regional Medical Center is able to assess and treat most prostate issues, including BHP.

What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate is a condition that impacts the prostate and is one of the most common conditions of aging men, affecting around 50% of men by age 60 and as high as 90% of men by age 85.

BPH is when the prostate gland is enlarged but not cancerous. Also called benign prostatic hypertrophy or benign prostatic obstruction, BPH produces symptoms that affect quality of life by disrupting normal daily activities and sleep patterns.

As a man ages, the prostate continues to grow. The problems associated with BPH occur because, as the prostate enlarges, the gland presses against and pinches the urethra (pee tube). The narrowing of the urethra and urinary retention — the inability to empty the bladder completely — are the main symptoms of BPH.

Common Symptoms of BPH

BPH generally presents as lower urinary tract symptoms. These may include:

Urinating eight or more times a day
Inability to delay urination
Hard time starting and stopping a urine stream
Sudden urges to urinate
Painful or burning urination
Not sure if your bladder is empty
Dribbling at the end of urination
Frequent urination during periods of sleep
Urinary incontinence
Pain after ejaculation or during urination
Urine that has an unusual color or smell

These symptoms most often come from a blocked urethra and a bladder that is overworked from trying to pass urine through the blockage.

Diagnosing BPH

If you are experiencing symptoms of BPH, talk to your primary care provider. If you don’t have a primary care provider, you can self-refer to Marble Valley Urology for a consultation by calling 802.775.6006.

Your doctor will take a personal and family medical history, perform a physical exam and may do some medical tests.

The physical exam is an important tool in diagnosing BPH. During a physical exam, your provider may perform a digital rectal exam, which is a physical exam of the prostate. This exam helps determine if the prostate is enlarged or tender or has any abnormalities that require more testing.

BPH is most often diagnosed based on symptoms and a digital rectal exam. If you have been referred to Marble Valley Urology, our urologists may use medical tests to help diagnose lower urinary tract problems related to BPH and recommend treatment. Medical tests may include:

Urinalysis

Urinalysis involves testing a urine sample. This can help to determine if there’s infection or blood in the urine.

Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test

Prostate cells create a protein called PSA. Men who have BPH may have a higher amount of PSA in their blood.

Urodynamic Tests

Urodynamic tests focus on the bladder’s ability to hold urine and empty steadily and completely.

Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy is a procedure that uses a tubelike instrument, called a cystoscope, to look inside the urethra and bladder. A urologist may use cystoscopy to look for blockage or stones in the urinary tract.

Transrectal Ultrasound

Transrectal ultrasound uses a transducer device to bounce safe, painless sound waves off organs to create an image of their structure. The ultrasound image shows the size of the prostate and any abnormalities.

Treatment Options

Treatment options vary depending on the patient’s prostate size and other factors including the patient’s preference.

The providers at Marble Valley Urology are highly skilled at treating BPH and will be able to recommend a treatment option that is best suited for you. Advancements in modern medicine include treatment options for BPH that are minimally invasive and effective.

Medication

For some men, medication may be the only treatment needed, though some have side effects. These medications include alpha-blockers, which relax the muscle tissue around your prostate, thereby reducing pressure on the urethra (pee tube). 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are another option, which block the hormone that makes your prostate grow. These can take several months to start working and may affect sexual function.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

TURP is a surgical treatment for urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate. The procedure involves removing a section of your prostate.

Prostatectomy

A prostatectomy is a common surgical procedure for the complete removal of the prostate to treat BPH.

GreenLight™ Laser Therapy

GreenLight Laser Therapy is an outpatient procedure. It uses a laser that is delivered through a thin, flexible fiber, which is inserted into the urethra through an instrument called a cystoscope. The laser energy quickly removes prostate tissue that is blocking the urethra. Learn more about GreenLight Laser Therapy.

UroLift^®

The UroLift procedure is minimally invasive and is typically performed as a same-day outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. It involves placing small implants to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissues out of the way and increase the opening of the urethra. Learn more about UroLift.