Health concerns are a major part of health culture these days, and with diseases and medications at an all-time high it’s difficult to tell what may be harmful and what may be beneficial. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, is the enlargening of one’s prostate, often causing problems with urination such as painful urination or frequent urination. Although it is a health problem and not normal, it fortunately does not lead to or increase the risk of cancer in an individual.

The causes of BPH remain largely unknown, as most experts think that there are a large amount of factors but can’t be precisely nailed down to one or a few causes. Many think that testosterone and other related hormones may be the cause to an enlarged prostate, but there isnt enough evidence to support that just one hormone is the cause. There is some evidence that with age there seems to be a higher risk of BPH, but again that varies, especially due to locale. The number of BPH cases in Western or more industrialized civilizations is exponentially more than those who lead a more rural or traditional life. Even cities nearer to rural areas but still lead a western lifestyle are far more likely to experience BPH. The causes remain unclear and much more research must be done to positively identify the causes of BPH.

There are a few different treatments for BPH, alpha blockers and inhibitors. The alpha blockers relax smooth muscle in the prostate and provide urine flow again, clearing the blockage. Some common side effects are orthostatic hypotension, nasal congestion, and weakness. The inhibitors reduce production of a hormone that enlarges the prostate, often with side effects of decreased libido and other related dysfunctions. When used together, the alpha receptor blockers and inhibitors can treat BPH. If medications fail then there are surgical options.The surgeries usually use new laser technology to remove part of the prostate through the urethra. While there are some other remedies available for BPH, the alpha blockers, inhibitors, and surgeries are the most used in the US.

Though BPH isn’t a cause for cancer, it’s still a very real and very troubling concern for men.