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What is BPH?
One in two men over the age of 50 experiences problems in emptying their bladder. Such difficulties are often the result of an enlargement of the prostate, which is also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This problem reduces the quality of life of millions of men the world over. When men reach their forties the prostate begins to change internally. Nodules are formed, which in turn can lead to the prostate gland enlarging. Sometimes these changes take a long time to happen and the nodules never grow larger (microscopically small) enough to cause any problems. In these cases the changes to the prostate are not noticed.
Despite this, one in two men will suffer problems resulting from an enla
rged prostate. The growth of the prostate gland, which usually stops after a few years, is known as benign enlargement of the prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This is not dangerous and has nothing to do with prostate cancer. The symptoms of BPH are, however, similar to some of those associated with prostate cancer.
Currently we do not know why the prostate enlarges, but hormones are involved. It is not unusual for the prostate to grow to twice its original size. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra and is located just below the bladder neck. When the prostate enlarges it squeezes the urethra. This can make the sufferer feel an urgent need to urinate while at the same time making it more difficult to pass urine. The enlarged prostate does not just press on the urethra. It also narrows the passage available for the urine to flow through the urethra, so it becomes more difficult to empty the bladder. This can develop into an unbearable problem for many men. Therefore around 20-25 percent of all men receive some type of treatment for their problem.
If a person experiences symptoms such as difficulties in emptying the bladder, a weak urine flow, desperate urges to urinate or problems in needing to empty the bladder often (especially if there is a need to get up more than once or twice during the night to empty the bladder) the person should contact a doctor to have the symptoms investigated. The investigations are often carried out by a GP. A GP may also prescribe a medicine that is commonly used to treat mild or moderate problems. If the problem is more severe, or if prostate cancer is suspected, the GP will refer the person to a urologist for further investigation and treatment. The treatment alternatives available for treating an enlarged prostate are surgery, a minimally-invasive treatment or a pharmaceutical treatment.
Minimally-invasive treatment
The three most common alternative forms for treating an enlarged prostate (BPH) are pharmaceutical, surgical or microwave treatments.
Microwave treatments, which have been around for more than a decade, have improved greatly over the last few years. The microwave treatment offered by ProstaLund today is both effective and tailored to the needs of the individual patient. This improved type of microwave treatment is called CoreTherm®. The treatment takes 10-15 minutes and there is no need for hospitalisation. Including preparation, treatment and aftercare the procedure usually takes about 1 hour. The patient is then able to go home. CoreTherm® has been shown to be just as effective as surgery (TURP), while at the same time having significantly fewer associated treatment risks.
The advantage of CoreTherm® treatment is that the patient is treated as an outpatient in the doctor’s surgery or hospital. Apart from the effective treatment results, this type of treatment also has other advantages:
- Improved patient comfort by effective local anaesthesia
- Faster recuperation – no sick-leave, or only a short period of sick-leave, is possible
- Lower socio-economic costs compared to traditional surgery
- Very low complication risks and low association with erectile dysfunction
Did you know…
- every second man over the age of 50 will suffer from benign prostate enlargement?
- half of sufferers have problems that need to be treated?
- many doctors regard the problem as ‘just’ a part of the normal ageing process?
- the prostate plays an important role in fertility?
- prostate enlargement has nothing to do with prostate cancer but it has similar symptoms?
- many of those who suffer from prostate problems believe this has a negative effect on their quality of life?
- a normal healthy prostate is the size of a walnut and weighs around 20 grams?