Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. It frequently occurs as part of the aging process. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder, out through the penis. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is one of the most common medical problems experienced by men over the age of 50. This non-cancerous condition will affect over 9 million men by the year 2000.
Many men never develop any symptoms.
If symptoms do develop, it is important to recognize them and understand that when properly treated, most symptoms can be improved. Until now, BPH was treated by surgery or by prescription drugs that are not covered by Medicare insurance. Symptoms of BPH can be very bothersome and, in addition to their negative impact on your quality of life, can lead to urinary tract infections or bladder obstruction. This enlargement narrows the tube and can cause difficulty urinating. Through a series of simple tests a doctor can determine if a patient's symptoms are due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and at the same time exclude the possibility of prostate cancer.