Prostate Enlargement (BPH)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland — is an almost universal phenomenon in ageing men. The prostate, a walnut-sized gland situated just below the bladder and surrounding the urethra, tends to grow throughout adult life. In many men this growth causes no problems, but in others it squeezes the urethra and obstructs urinary flow, producing a constellation of bothersome symptoms collectively known as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
Understanding the condition
BPH is benign — it does not become prostate cancer, nor does it increase the risk of developing it. However, it can significantly affect quality of life and, in some cases, lead to complications including urinary tract infections, bladder stones, urinary retention (the sudden inability to pass urine, which is a medical emergency), or damage to the bladder or kidneys from prolonged obstruction.
Symptoms
Symptoms of BPH are divided into obstructive (voiding) symptoms — such as a hesitant, weak, or intermittent urinary stream, straining to start urinating, the feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, and post-micturition dribble — and storage (irritative) symptoms, which include frequency, urgency, nocturia (waking at night to urinate), and urgency incontinence. The severity of symptoms does not always correlate with the size of the prostate.
Diagnosis
Assessment includes a detailed symptom history (often scored using the International Prostate Symptom Score), urinalysis, a blood test for PSA (prostate-specific antigen) to help exclude prostate cancer, assessment of post-void residual urine volume by ultrasound, and sometimes a flow rate study (uroflowmetry).
Choosing where to be treated
Use our independent directory to compare licensed organisations in Turkey, or read our selection guide before you decide.