Let's talk about men and BPH

MANILA, Philippines – One of the most common but little known conditions that older men suffer from is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate (a male accessory reproductive organ located near the bladder), BPH can start compressing the urethra (urinary canal) and cause difficulties urinating. It is surprisingly widespread — nearly one out of two men over the age of 50 has lower urinary tract symptoms indicative of BPH.

What are the symptoms of BPH? The most common symptoms involve urinary problems, such as having a hesitant or interrupted weak flow of urine, leaking or dribbling, and more frequent urination, especially at night. It can lead to incomplete emptying of the bladder, which can result in an increased risk of urinary tract infections and even bladder stones.

While BPH may not be life-threatening, it often causes a lot of discomfort for the person suffering from it. He may shy away from driving for long periods of time. He can become more conscious about going out to places or doing activities, where there may be no bathroom, like outdoor sports or camping. Symptoms also lead to sleep disruption, leaving him tired the next day. More, if not properly managed, BPH progression may lead to surgery or bladder and kidney damage.

It’s good to know that there are treatment options out there to help men manage this condition. One type of treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms of BPH and they’re called alpha-blockers.

The other type of treatment, called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs), focuses on treating the root cause of BPH by reducing the conversion of the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is responsible for the enlargement of the prostate. Recent medical advances allow the 5-ARI to inhibit both type 1 and type 2 5-alpha reductase (5AR) enzymes, resulting in consistent DHT suppression and improvement in alleviating symptoms.

By reducing prostate size, treatment with 5-ARIs reduces the risks of acute urinary retention (the sudden inability to urinate) and the risk of needing prostate-related surgery. Patients are advised to consult their doctors to find out more about BPH management and treatment.

This health information comes from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare company.