What is BPH?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a noncancerous growth of the prostate, the walnut-sized gland that wraps around the urethra below the bladder. Driven by aging and male hormones, it affects about half of men in their 50s and up to 90% of men over 80. BPH doesn't turn into prostate cancer, but the two can cause similar symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
Typical symptoms include a weak or interrupted stream, straining, feeling like the bladder isn't empty, urgency, frequent urination and getting up at night to pee (nocturia). Doctors grade them with the 7-question IPSS/AUA Symptom Index (Barry et al., 1992): mild (0–7), moderate (8–19) or severe (20–35). Inability to urinate, blood in the urine or repeated urinary tract infections need prompt care.
How is BPH treated?
Mild symptoms may just need watchful waiting and cutting back on evening fluids, caffeine and alcohol. Alpha-blockers like tamsulosin relax prostate muscle quickly, while 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride) shrink the gland over months. When medication isn't enough, options include TURP, laser enucleation (HoLEP) and minimally invasive procedures such as UroLift or Rezum (Lerner et al., 2021).
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
FAQ
- Does BPH raise my risk of prostate cancer?
- No. They're separate conditions, but both are common with age, so your doctor may check a PSA and exam.
- Does saw palmetto work?
- Large trials and a Cochrane review found it worked no better than placebo for urinary symptoms.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-25
References
- Lerner, L. B., McVary, K. T., Barry, M. J., et al. (2021). Management of lower urinary tract symptoms attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia: AUA guideline part I. Journal of Urology, 206(4), 806–817.
- Barry, M. J., Fowler, F. J., O'Leary, M. P., et al. (1992). The American Urological Association symptom index for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Journal of Urology, 148(5), 1549–1557.