What is an enlarged prostate, what are the symptoms and does it require surgery?
Plus, who is most likely to suffer from the condition
AN enlarged prostate is not usually serious and often doesn’t cause any symptoms.
But King Charles is undergoing a “corrective procedure” in hospital to treat his. Here’s everything you need to know about about the condition.
What is an enlarged prostate?
The prostate is a small gland found in the pelvis between the penis and the bladder.
It’s about the size of a walnut.
If it becomes enlarged, it can put pressure on the bladder and the urethra – the tube that urine passes through.
The medical term for this is benign prostatic enlargement (BPE).
It is not cancerous and does not raise your risk of developing prostate cancer.
The prostate’s main function is to produce the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm, according to the Mayo Clinic.
What causes an enlarged prostate?
The exact cause isn’t known, but the prostate does get bigger as you get older.
Doctors say hormones likely play an important role.
“One theory is that as some men and anyone with a prostate gets older, the levels of a type of hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increases, which may stimulate the growth of the prostate,” the NHS says.
Another theory suggests that two other hormones – testosterone and oestrogen – are involved.
“Younger men and anyone with a prostate produce high levels of testosterone and much smaller levels of oestrogen,” the NHS adds.
“But as they get older, levels of testosterone decrease, which means they then have a higher proportion of oestrogen in their body.
“It’s been suggested that the relative increase in oestrogen may stimulate prostate growth.”
Research also shows that rates are higher among men with high blood pressure and diabetes, but these are both associated with the natural ageing process so there may not be a direct connection.
What are the symptoms of an enlarged prostate?
Because of its location, an enlarged prostate can affect how you go to the toilet. It may cause:
- Difficulty starting to pee
- A frequent need to pee, especially at night
- Problems fully emptying your bladder
- A weak flow
- Dribbling urine after you finish
- A sudden urge to urinate
But not all men will experience symptoms.
It is diagnosed through urine samples, blood tests, liquid charts, symptom assessments, and physical examination.
How common is an enlarged prostate?
An enlarged prostate is very common in men over the age of 50.
About one in three men aged 50-plus have urinary symptoms, and an enlarged prostate is the most common cause.
Yale Medicine estimates about half of all men aged 51 to 60 have an enlarged prostate, rising to 70 per cent aged 60 to 69, and 80 per cent of men over 70.
Does an enlarged prostate require treatment?
Many men with an enlarged prostate won’t require any treatment, though they will be monitored for any changes.
For others, the condition can cause symptoms which need medical attention.
This could include medication, such as finasteride and dutasteride or alpha blockers, to reduce the size of the prostate and relax the bladder.
Surgery is usually only recommended for moderate to severe symptoms that have not responded to drugs.
Common procedures include a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), which involves cutting away a section of the prostate, and a bladder neck incision (TUIP), which involves widening the urethra so it’s easier to pee.
Most sufferers are also encouraged to drink less alcohol and exercise more.
Bladder training – which aims to increase the time between urination and the amount of urine your bladder can hold – is another option.
Charles, 75, is undergoing a “corrective procedure” for his enlarged prostate.
It is not known which one, but he is understood to be at the London Clinic, where Princess Kate is recovering from her abdominal surgery.
Buckingham Palace said: “In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate.
“His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure.
“The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.”
Are there any dangers?
Complications directly related to an enlarged prostate are rare.
But, they include urinary tract infections (UTIs), chronic urinary retention (when you cannot empty your bladder fully), and acute urinary retention (the sudden inability to pass any urine).
You can check your risk of an enlarged prostate through , or your risk of prostate cancer through a 30-second .