Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Estimated to affect over half of all men over age 50, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can be extremely bothersome to both men and their partners. NYU Urology Associates offers both a variety of treatments for BPH, including surgical and non-surgical options. In addition to standard treatments, we also offer experimental therapies as part of clinical trials.

More information on BPH

Causes and symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Further reading on BPH
Clinical trials at NYU Urology related to BPH
Make an appointment with an NYU urologist who treats BPH

Causes and symptoms

The prostate is a gland that produces semen, the fluid that contains sperm. It sits adjacent to the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the duct that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. BPH occurs when cells of the prostate proliferate, causing the prostate to grow beyond its normal size. The underlying causes of BPH are not yet fully understood.

Illustration of the prostate

The prostate is normally the size of a walnut, but when it becomes enlarged, it can squeeze the urethra, narrowing the tube and also affecting the action of the bladder muscle. This can result in difficulty starting urination and a reduced force in the urinary stream. You may also notice dribbling after urination, increased urgency of urination, or a need to urinate often, especially at night. Other symptoms include the sensation of the bladder not emptying completely after urination.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and the severity of your symptoms. You will also undergo a physical exam and a digital rectal exam. In addition, your doctor may perform one or more of the following tests to determine the severity of the disease and rule out other disorders:

Urinalysis may be performed to rule out infections and other disorders.
Blood tests may be performed to determine the level of prostate serum antigen (PSA), a marker for prostate disease.
Uroflowmetry provides an objective measurement of the urinary flow rate via electronic recording.
A postvoid residual urine test measures the volume of fluid remaining in the bladder immediately after urination.

Treatment

Treatment options will depend on your medical history and the severity of your symptoms. Oral medications such as alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may be an appropriate treatment for some men. Several new medications, including the herbal remedy saw palmetto, are under investigation at the NYU Department of Urology. >> More information on clinical trials related to BPH

We also offer both several minimally invasive treatments, including green-light photovaporization of the prostate, holmium laser enucleation of the prostate, and other laser procedures to relieve prostatic obstruction. Other standard surgical options for relieving prostatic obstruction are also offered when appropriate, including transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Finally, for some men, a “watchful waiting” approach may be appropriate, if symptoms are not bothersome or if patients are concerned about side effects of treatment.