Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

Understanding Enlarged Prostate (BPH) In Milford, MA

What is Enlarged Prostate/BPH?

The prostate is located directly beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as Enlarged Prostate, is a common, benign (not cancerous) urological condition in older men in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that produces semen, the fluid that transports sperm. Because the upper portion of the urethra passes through the prostate, if the gland becomes enlarged, it can obstruct the passage of fluid through the urethra and result in difficulty urinating, a weak stream, or excessive daytime or nighttime urination. In the early stage of prostate enlargement, the bladder muscle becomes thicker and forces urine through the narrowed urethra by contracting more powerfully. As a result, the bladder muscle may become thickened and overactive, causing a need to urinate more often and more suddenly. In later stages, the bladder may become completely obstructed and the patient may not be able to urinate at all.

What Causes BPH?  

While the true underlying cause of BPH is unknown, BPH usually occurs as a man gets older.

What Are the Symptoms of BPH?  

The symptoms associated with BPH are known as lower urinary tract symptoms. (LUTS). While some men with an enlarged prostate/BPH experience mild symptoms, many others experience severe and life-changing symptoms. The more common symptoms that men with BPH may experience are:

• Difficulty starting or stopping during urination or significant dribbling after urination.
• Weak urinary stream.
• Waking up at night several times to urinate.
• Incomplete emptying of the bladder.
• The urge to urinate again shortly after urination.
• Recurring, urgent need to urinate.
• Urinary Incontinence (Urine Leakage).

If you are experiencing any of these urinary symptoms, contact Dr. Steinberg at his Milford office at (508) 473-6333 to schedule an evaluation.

How is BPH Diagnosed?  

A complete medical history and physical exam, as well as a digital rectal exam, are the first steps in diagnosing BPH. In addition, a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test will be done. Diagnostic tests may also be done in the office to make the most accurate diagnosis and fully evaluate whether the urinary symptoms are caused by BPH and formulate the next steps to treating your urinary symptoms. These diagnostic tests may include:

• Uroflow: Measures the flow and force of your urine stream and is often performed in patients who experience problems with urination.
• Bladder Scan (post-void residual): A non-invasive ultrasound test that assesses the ability of the bladder to empty.
• UroCuff: Non-Invasive pressure flow test to determine whether the prostate or bladder or possibly both organs are causing the urinary issues.
• Cystoscopy: A small telescope is used to look inside the urinary tract to assess your prostate and your bladder for signs of obstruction that may cause the urinary symptoms.

Learn How UroCuff Can Help Diagnose BPH here.

What Are the Treatments for BPH?  

BPH Treatment in the Milford area

Treatments for BPH may include medications or minimally invasive procedures to relieve the obstruction caused by the prostate. Dr. Steinberg provides the most advanced care for men living with BPH.

Dr. Steinberg has the experience to help men restore quality of life and alleviate the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. From non-surgical measures to innovative minimally invasive procedures, Dr. Steinberg provides the most advanced care for men living with BPH. Treatments for BPH include:

Non-surgical Treatment For BPH

• Watchful Waiting
  • For men with mild BPH with little to no symptoms, Dr. Steinberg may recommend watchful waiting with routine office visits to assess whether the condition is worsening.

• Medications
  • After a complete evaluation, Dr. Steinberg may prescribe one or a combination of medications for men who require treatment for an enlarged prostate.
    
  • Dr. Steinberg may recommend an Alpha-blocker, such as tamsulosin (Flomax) which relieves symptoms within a few weeks but does not stop the process of prostate enlargement.
    
  • Alternatively, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, such as dutasteride (Avodart) or finasteride (Proscar), may reduce the size of an enlarged prostate but may take 6 months or more to show any effect on symptoms.
    
  • Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, such as tadalafil (Cialis), may help reduce BPH symptoms. PDE-5 inhibitors are well known medicines for erection problems and may be prescribed for patients with both BPH and ED.

Minimally Invasive Treatment For BPH

• Plasma Vaporization Therapy
  • Plasma Vaporization Therapy of the prostate is another method to treat BPH.  This procedure is recommended for patients with larger prostates and patients who are completely blocked by their prostates
• Gyrus Bipolar Vaporization (GBV)
  • GBV is a safer, less invasive procedure compared to TURP, which permanently treats urinary tract obstruction from an enlarged prostate. Gyrus Bipolar Vaporization utilizes a small, button-shaped device inserted into the urethra through a telescope which creates low-temperature plasma energy, instead of heat, to remove prostate tissue. The major benefit of GBV is a rapid removal of obstructing prostate tissue with virtually no blood loss. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis.

If you are concerned that you are experiencing symptoms of BPH, please call Urology Specialists of Milford at (508) 473-6333 to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Steinberg in his Milford, MA office.