January 8, 2024
What is the Prostate?
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland located just beneath your bladder and in front of your rectum, which is responsible for producing the semen which nourishes and transports sperm during ejaculation.
Normally, a healthy adult prostate weighs around 20 to 25 grams and is approximately 4 cm wide, 3 cm high, and 2 cm thick. When it becomes enlarged, such as when you are diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia, it can grow up to 5 times it’s usual size.
What Causes an Enlarged Prostate?
It’s unclear exactly what causes an enlarged prostate, but it is a very common condition that most men can expect to experience, to some degree, as they get older.
It’s thought that changes in hormones, as a result of aging, play a key role in prostates growth.
Throughout their lives, men produce both testosterone and a small amount of estrogen. As they get older, their bodies produce less testosterone and the ratio of testosterone to estrogen begins to change, and there is a higher proportion of estrogen.
Studies have suggested that benign prostatic hyperplasia may occur due to increases in substances that promote prostate cell growth, which can be caused by higher proportions of estrogen.
Other theories focus on dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a male hormone involved in prostate development and growth. Some studies have shown that even with a small drop in testosterone levels, men still accumulate DHT in the prostate, encouraging prostate cells to grow.
Risk Factors for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Despite not knowing the exact cause of BPH and enlarged prostates, we do know that there are certain risk factors that increase your chances of developing problems with your prostate.
Age
As we’ve already mentioned, most men will develop a prostate problem as they age, and many doctors and specialists believe that a drop in testosterone production is a major cause.
For most men, you won’t have any warning signs or symptoms until you’re at least 40, with about 1 in 3 men over the age of 60 experiencing moderate to severe symptoms, and about 1 in 2 by age 80.
Family History and Genetics
Having a blood relative (for example, a father or a brother) with a prostate condition increases the likelihood of you developing problems.
One study found that in men younger than 64 who have surgery for BPH, there is a 4x increase in risk for male relatives, and a 6x increase in risk for brothers.
Diabetes
Studies have also found that diabetes may increase your risk of developing BPH or other prostate conditions. This may be caused by the increase in insulin, which can affect prostate growth.
Lifestyle and Weight
Several lifestyle factors are associated with an increased risk of developing BPH, including diet. An increased total energy intake, energy-adjusted total protein intake, red meat, fat, milk and dairy products, cereals, bread, poultry, and starch all potentially increase the risks of clinical BPH and BPH surgery, while vegetables, fruits, polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid, and vitamin D potentially decrease the risk of BPH.
An analysis of 11 studies, found that those who exercised at a moderate to vigorous level reduced their risk of BPH by 25% compared to those who lived a sedentary lifestyle.
Bodyweight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference have all been positively associated with prostate volume in multiple different studies.
➡️ Featured Resource: A Simple Guide to Prostate Health
Complications Associated with an Enlarged Prostate
When we think of treating medical conditions it’s very easy to only think about getting relief from the symptoms we are currently showing.
We don’t always think about any future complications that might arise as a result of the condition we are currently facing. After all, if we are in pain and discomfort now, or our quality of life is being reduced, fixing this is priority number 1.
But it does help to at least understand what challenges you might face in the future, especially if you’re unsure of whether you want to seek treatment right now or postpone it until later. You might only have mild symptoms now, but these mild symptoms can easily get worse if untreated and lead to further complications arising from BPH, such as:
- Urine retention. This is when you find it difficult or you are entirely unable to urinate due to your prostate putting so much pressure on your urethra. In some cases you may need a catheter inserted into your bladder to help drain the urine.
- Urinary tract infection (UTI). When you can’t fully empty your bladder, you run the risk of developing an infection in your urinary tract. UTIs are painful and can have a significant impact on your quality of life, and repeated infections can have serious consequences.
- Bladder stones. These hard masses of mineral develop in your bladder as a result of incomplete emptying. Small stones may pass on their own, but large ones may require surgery to remove. Bladder stones are not only painful but can also lead to future complications such as infection, blood in the urine and painful urination.
- Bladder damage. Stretching can occur over time if you have trouble emptying your bladder, making it weak. This leads to weaker muscles in the bladder wall, which make it even more difficult to fully empty your bladder.
- Kidney damage. Pressure in the bladder from urinary retention can directly damage the kidneys or allow bladder infections to reach the kidneys.
Prevention is the Best Cure
When it comes to prostate health, prevention is the best form of treatment. But if you’re already suffering, a minimally invasive treatment option, such as the ones we offer at Northern Beaches Interventional Radiology, are the next best thing. Book a consultation today to find out how we can create a perfectly tailored treatment plan for your BPH.
