Around half of men over the age of 50 have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), making it a prevalent men’s health issue in the United States today. Also known as an enlarged prostate, BPH is a common men’s health condition.
The prostate goes through two growth phases. The first occurs early in puberty. The second growth phase begins around the age of 25 and doesn’t stop — your prostate continues to grow throughout your life. As your prostate gets bigger, it can compress your urethra and make your bladder wall thicker. This causes urinary problems like trouble emptying your bladder completely.
Diagnosis: A physical exam and a variety of tests are used to identify the condition causing your symptoms. Your doctor might order tests, including urinalysis, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, prostate exam, ultrasound, and cystoscopy. Your doctor might also use diagnostic tools like post-void residual volume, uroflowmetry, or urodynamic pressure test to assess your urinary function.
