Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
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Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate that occurs in almost all men as they age. As the prostate enlarges, it may cause difficulty urinating, a need to get up many times during the night to urinate, a frequent urge to urinate, or a sense that the bladder is not completely empty after urination.
The need for treatment depends on how bothered the man is by his symptoms. If treatment is needed, it may include medications or, less commonly, surgery.
BPH does not cause prostate cancer. However, symptoms typical of BPH should be evaluated by a doctor to be certain they are not actually caused by prostate cancer.
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 25, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman |
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