Prostatomegaly

Causes

The actual cause of prostate enlargement is unknown. Factors linked to aging and changes in the cells of the testicles may have a role in the growth of the gland, as well as testosterone levels. Men who have had their testicles removed at a young age (for example, as a result of testicular cancer) do not develop BPH.

Also, if the testicles are removed after a man develops BPH, the prostate begins to shrink in size.

Some facts about prostate enlargement:

• The likelihood of developing an enlarged prostate increases with age.
• BPH is so common that it has been said all men will have an enlarged prostate if they live long enough.
• A small amount of prostate enlargement is present in many men over age 40. More than 90% of men over age 80 have the condition.
• No risk factors have been identified, other than having normally-functioning testicles.

Symptoms

The severity of symptoms in people who have prostate gland enlargement varies, but symptoms tend to gradually worsen over time. Common signs and symptoms of BPH include:

• Frequent or urgent need to urinate
• Increased frequency of urination at night (nocturia)
• Difficulty starting urination
• Weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts
• Dribbling at the end of urination
• Inability to completely empty the bladder

Less common signs and symptoms include:

• Urinary tract infection
• Inability to urinate
• Blood in the urine

The size of your prostate doesn’t necessarily determine the severity of your symptoms. Some men with only slightly enlarged prostates can have significant symptoms, while other men with very enlarged prostates can have only minor urinary symptoms.

In some men, symptoms eventually stabilize and might even improve over time.

Other possible causes of urinary symptoms

Conditions that can lead to symptoms similar to those caused by enlarged prostate include:

• Urinary tract infection
• Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis)
• Narrowing of the urethra (urethral stricture)
• Scarring in the bladder neck as a result of previous surgery
• Bladder or kidney stones
• Problems with nerves that control the bladder
• Cancer of the prostate or bladder