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Enlarged prostate - Symptom

Alternative Names

BPH; Benign prostatic hypertrophy (hyperplasia); Prostate - enlarged

Symptoms:

Less than half of all men with BPH have symptoms of the disease, which include:

Dribbling after urinating
Inability to urinate (urinary retention)
Incomplete emptying of your bladder
Incontinence
Needing to urinate two or more times per night
Pain with urination or bloody urine (these may indicate infection)
Slowed or delayed start of the urinary stream
Straining to urinate
Strong and sudden urge to urinate
Weak urine stream

Signs and tests:

After taking a complete medical history, your doctor will perform a digital rectal exam to feel the prostate gland. The following tests may also be performed:

Urine flow rate
Post-void residual urine test to see how much urine is left in your bladder after urination
Pressure flow studies to measure the pressure in the bladder as you urinate
IVP (an x-ray study) to confirm BPH or look for blockage
Urinalysis to check for blood or infection
Urine culture to check for infection
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test to screen for prostate cancer
Cystoscopy

In addition, you may be asked to complete a form to evaluate the severity of your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. Your score may be compared to past records to determine if the condition is getting worse.

Male reproductive anatomy

BPH

Prostatectomy - series

TURP - series

Reviewed last on: 9/7/2008
Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Bent S, Kane C, Shinohara K, et. al. Saw palmetto for benign prostatic hyperplasia. NEJM. 2006; 354:557-566.

Kirby R, Lepor H. Evaluation and Nonsurgical Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Novick AC, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 87.

Roehrborn CG, Siami P, Barkin J, Damiao R, Major-Walker K, Morrill B, et al. The effects of dutasteride, tamsulosin, and combination therapy on lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic enlargement. 2-year results from the CombAT study. J Urol. 2008;179:616-621.

Roehrborn CG, McConnell JD. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Etiology, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology, and Natural History. Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Novick AC, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 86.

Rich KT, Safranek S. PPIN's clinical inquiries. Medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Am Fam Physician. 2008;77:665-666.

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