Health Talk: Benign prostate hyperplasia affects men as they age; help is available

Christina Vanderpool
·3 min read

Dr. John Peck has been serving patients in the Ashland community for 22 years. He is a board-certified urologist at UH Samaritan Medical Center. He has taken time to discuss benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

BPH is a condition that affects men as they age and is due to prostate enlargement. It is not a cancerous condition but can cause serious symptoms and health problems in some men.

The prostate is a walnut sized gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It is located near the base of the bladder and surrounds the urethra (The tube through which urine exits the bladder). When the prostate becomes enlarged it can “pinch” or “narrow” the urethra and cause a variety of symptoms. Not all men with BPH develop symptoms but if they do these can include:

Dr. John Peck
Dr. John Peck

  • Difficulty urinating

  • Painful urination

  • Frequent urination, especially at night

  • Weak or intermittent stream

  • Hesitancy or a delay in urination

  • Incomplete bladder emptying

The ciagnosis of BPH can be made by a health care provider. A provider may use a digital rectal exam (DRE) to evaluate the size of the prostate. The DRE also can detect more serious conditions such as prostate cancer. Blood tests are also important. Specifically, PSA (prostate specific antigen) is a blood test that is important in determining prostate health.

Men between the ages of 45 and 75 should discuss with their provider if a PSA should be ordered. A thorough medical history including specific questions about urinary habits is important. Family history is also important when discussing prostate health.

BPH can progress if unrecognized and untreated. Besides the obvious urinary symptoms which can affect one’s quality of life, long-term bladder and kidney damage can occur. Frequent urinary tract infections can also develop often due to incomplete emptying of the bladder. Furthermore, BPH and erectile dysfunction (ED) have been linked in some men.

Christina Vanderpool
Christina Vanderpool

Not all men with BPH will require treatment, but for those who do there are many options. Treatment can be as simple as herbal supplements such as saw palmetto or lycopene. Prescriptions drugs also are effective and commonly used. These include medications like Tamsulosin, doxazosin, or Finasteride. If medications do not improve symptoms, then minimally invasive procedures are also available. Examples include UroLift, which uses an anchoring device to open the urinary channel (urethra).

Sometimes it is necessary to resect a portion of the prostate, referred to as a TURP.  Rarely more invasive procedures are required but are available when necessary. Ultimately, it is important to discuss your urinary symptoms and expectations with your healthcare provider so that a personal treatment plan can be devised for you.

There are things men can do to help maintain prostate health. Diet and exercise are important. Specifically, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are beneficial.  Lycopene is a nutrient that is important for prostate health.

This can be found in a variety of foods including tomatoes, asparagus, grapefruit, and watermelon. Soy products and fish have been shown to be beneficial as well. Other foods often mentioned regarding prostate health include pumpkin seeds, pomegranate juice, and green tea. A regular exercise routine is very important not only for prostate health but simply overall well-being.

If you would like to discuss BPH or any other urologic conditions with Peck, call 419-289-6000 and request an appointment. He sees patients in two locations: 2212 Mifflin Ave. in Ashland and 1033 Ashland Road in Mansfield.

Christina Vanderpool is the community outreach and communications and development specialist at University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Here's what UH Samaritan doctor says about benign prostate hyperplasia