Benign enlargement of the prostate, otherwise known as benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH for short, is the most common cause of prostate problems. It is a condition of normal ageing. The prostate simply becomes larger. Treatments are aimed at limiting its size. These may take the form of a surgical operation or medical treatment to reverse the effects of the hormones controlling the prostate’s growth. The surgical treatment of BPH is known as transurethral prostatectomy, or TURP. In this operation a tube is inserted through the penis along the urethra to clear away the physical obstruction.

 

Because the enlargement of the prostate is a process that takes place over many years, medical treatment of BPH is generally less effective than surgery. Medical treatments for benign enlargement will take a considerable period of time to improve urinary symptoms. It is estimated that over a period of approximately one year, 30% of patients will have a 30% improvement of their urinary symptoms with medical treatments. A TURP will lead to an improvement in nearly all patients.

 

Medical treatment of prostatic enlargement is generally reserved for those patients who are not fit for surgery. Where there is a very long waiting list for surgery, your GP may give you medical treatment to ease the condition during the wait for definitive surgery. Medical treatments are also reserved for patients who do not want to have surgery but would like some treatment for their condition. Many of these treatments are hormonal and include the LHRH agonists and finasteride. Dietary supplements such as Saw Palmetto have some activity. Although we are not clear how this works, it does have an effect.