Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate gland, is common in men as they age, leading to various urinary problems. At Cypress Urology in Cypress, Texas, board-certified urologist Kumaran Sathyamoorthy, MD, MPH, and physician assistant Maelyn Dishman, PA-C, offer effective treatments for BPH. These include innovative approaches like the UroLift® procedure. To find an effective solution for BPH symptoms, call Cypress Urology today or go online to book an appointment.

What is benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affects the prostate gland, causing an enlargement that can interfere with urination.

The prostate gland sits below your bladder, surrounding the urethra (the tube carrying urine from your bladder through your penis). The gland produces semen, the liquid that transports sperm when you ejaculate.

As you get older, your prostate likely gets a little bigger. In some men, the enlargement is significant enough to put pressure on the urethra, resulting in urinary problems. 

BPH isn’t cancerous and doesn’t increase your risk of prostate cancer. However, the symptoms are similar, so it’s vital to visit Cypress Urology for an accurate diagnosis.

What symptoms might benign prostatic hyperplasia cause?

BPH symptoms include:

• Problems starting urination
• Straining when urinating
• A weak urine stream
• Urination that stops and starts
• Dribbling after urinating
• Urinary urgency (a sudden, pressing urge to urinate)
• Frequent urination (eight or more bathroom trips a day)
• Urinary incontinence
• Nocturia (frequently rising at night to urinate)
• Feeling your bladder is full after urinating

Without treatment, the prostate continues to grow, leading to worsening symptoms. Severe, untreated BPH can cause complications, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), an inability to control urination, and in some cases, a blockage that prevents you from urinating.

How is BPH treated?

Cypress Urology’s experienced providers specialize in treating problems like BPH. They perform a comprehensive physical exam and order lab tests to confirm you have BPH and rule out prostate cancer.

The treatment you need for BPH varies according to the severity of your symptoms. The personalized treatment plan your Cypress Urology provider prepares for you might include prescription muscle relaxants or medications that shrink the prostate gland. 

It also helps to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and certain over-the-counter medicines.

If the prostate enlargement is severe or doesn’t respond to other treatments, Cypress Urology offers an innovative treatment called the UroLift system.

Your urologist places the UroLift device through your urethra and then uses small implants to hold the blocked urethra open. Urolift is an outpatient procedure performed on-site at Cypress Urology.

For an accurate BPH diagnosis and expert treatment, call Cypress Urology today or book an appointment online.