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Benign prostatic hyperplasia - Symptoms

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Alternative Names

Enlarged prostate; BPH

Symptoms:

The symptoms commonly associated with BPH are collectively called lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). BPH is not always the cause of these symptoms. An enlarged prostate may be accompanied by few symptoms, while severe LUTS may be present with normal or even small prostates and are most likely due to other conditions. Many experts are now categorizing LUTS as either voiding or storage symptoms to help define the source of the problem.

Voiding (Obstructive) Symptoms

Voiding symptoms, also referred to as obstructive symptoms, can be caused by an obstruction in the urinary tract. They are often due to BPH. Obstruction is the most serious complication of BPH and requires medical attention. Voiding symptoms include:

Weak or intermittent urinary stream
Straining when urinating
A hesitation before urine flow starts
A sense that the bladder has not emptied completely
Dribbling at the end of urination or leakage afterward

Storage (Irritative) Symptoms

Storage symptoms, also referred to as irritative symptoms, include:

An increased frequency of urination, particularly at night
An urgent need to urinate
Bladder pain or irritation when urinating

Urine flows from the kidney through the ureters into the urinary bladder where it is temporarily stored. As the bladder becomes distended with urine, nerve impulses from the bladder signal the brain that it is full, giving the individual the urge to void. By voluntarily relaxing the sphincter muscle around the urethra, the bladder can be emptied of urine. Urine then flows out through the urethra.

Serious Symptoms

More serious symptoms may include:

Blood in the urine
Recurrent urinary tract infection
Back-up of urine into the kidneys
Acute urinary retention (inability to void)

Resources

www.niddk.nih.gov -- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
www.urologyhealth.org -- American Urological Association

References

Bravi F, Bosetti C, Dal Maso L, Talamini R, Montella M, Negri E, et al. Food groups and risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urology. 2006 Jan;67(1):73-9.

Johnson AR, Munoz A, Gottlieb JL, Jarrard DF. High dose zinc increases hospital admissions due to genitourinary complications. J Urol. 2007 Feb;177(2):639-43.

Johnson TM 2nd, Burrows PK, Kusek JW, Nyberg LM, Tenover JL, Lepor H, et al. The effect of doxazosin, finasteride and combination therapy on nocturia in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2007 Nov;178(5):2045-50; discussion 2050-1. Epub 2007 Sep 17.

Kaplan SA, Roehrborn CG, Rovner ES, Carlsson M, Bavendam T, Guan Z. Tolterodine and tamsulosin for treatment of men with lower urinary tract symptoms and overactive bladder: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2006 Nov 15;296(19):2319-28.

Kirby R and 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. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2007:chap 87.

Mattiasson A, Wagrell L, Schelin S, Nordling J, Richthoff J, Magnusson B, et al. Five-year follow-up of feedback microwave thermotherapy versus TURP for clinical BPH: a prospective randomized multicenter study. Urology. 2007 Jan;69(1):91-6.

Rich KT, Safranek S. FPIN's clinical inquiries. Medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Am Fam Physician. 2008 Mar 1;77(5):665-6.

Roehrborn CG and McConnell JD. Benign prostatic hyperplasia: Etiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, and natural history. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Novick AC, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2007:chap 86.

Roehrborn CG, Siami P, Barkin J, Damião 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 Feb;179(2):616-21; discussion 621. Epub 2007 Dec 21.

Rohrmann S, Giovannucci E, Willett WC, Platz EA. Fruit and vegetable consumption, intake of micronutrients, and benign prostatic hyperplasia in US men. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2007 Feb;85(2):523-9.

Spatafora S, Conti G, Perachino M, Casarico A, Mazzi G, Pappagallo GL; AURO.it BPH Guidelines Committee. Evidence-based guidelines for the management of lower urinary tract symptoms related to uncomplicated benign prostatic hyperplasia in Italy: updated summary. Curr Med Res Opin. 2007 Jul;23(7):1715-32.

van der Meulen J, Brown CT, Yap T, Cromwell DA, Rixon L, Steed L, et al. Self management for men with lower urinary tract symptoms: randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2007 Jan 6;334(7583):25. Epub 2006 Nov 21.

Reviewed last on: 6/9/2008
Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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