What is BPH | About Enlarged Prostate and Treatments Like UroLift

What Is BPH?

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is also known as enlarged prostate. It is a condition in which the prostate enlarges as men age.

As the prostate enlarges, it can squeeze the urethra and block urine flow. This can cause symptoms including a frequent and urgent need to urinate, a weak or intermittent stream and a sense that the bladder is not completely empty.^3,4

In more serious cases, it can cause urinary retention (inability to urinate) and may lead to worse problems, including permanent bladder damage.⁵

The Importance of Your Prostate

Many men understand the function of their prostate, but may not be aware of how it can impact their lives over time.

The prostate is a small gland, about the size and shape of a walnut, located below the neck of the bladder. It is a male reproductive organ that makes fluid for semen.

Urine flows out of the body through the urethra, which runs through the center of the prostate, from the bladder through the penis. When the prostate is enlarged, it can block the bladder. It's all connected!

If you think you might have BPH, don't hesitate to see your urologist for a diagnostic exam. Early intervention is important to ensure urine can flow easily and your bladder can be fully emptied.

Common Symptoms of BPH^3,4

Frequent need to urinate, day and night
Urgent feeling of needing to urinate
Difficulty or delay in starting urination
Weak or slow urinary stream
A sense that you cannot completely empty your bladder
A urinary stream that stops and starts

What if I do nothing?

If left untreated, BPH may lead to:

Worsening lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
Permanent bladder damage⁵
Inability to urinate, requiring use of a catheter⁶

It may be time to ask about treatment options

If you suffer from these symptoms, you are not alone. BPH is the leading reason men visit a urologist.⁷ Don't hesitate to ask your doctor for a diagnostic evaluation to assess your lower urinary tract health.

If you have BPH, the good news is that the condition is generally treatable. Treatment options include medications, minimally invasive procedures like the UroLift System™, and traditional surgery. Talk with your urologist about which treatment options are best for you.