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 Download: Prostate Enlargement (BPH) fact sheet PDF (111kb)
What is BPH?BPH refers to benign prostatic hyperplasia (increase in the number of cells) or hypertrophy (increase in cell size), the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. BPH is the most common prostate disease in men.
As the prostate is positioned around the urinary tract, the enlargement of the prostate makes the urinary tract narrow and puts pressure on the base of the bladder. Narrowing of the urinary tract can affect the passing of urine in a number of ways.
BPH is not a life threatening condition, but if left untreated for a prolonged period of time, it has the potential to cause problems with the function of the bladder, and less commonly, the kidneys.
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How common is BPH?Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can start after the age of 40 and becomes more common as men get older. It aff ects nearly all men, though some men do not have any symptoms even though their prostate may have started to grow larger. BPH usually becomes more of a problem over time, with symptoms getting worse if they are not treated. About two in every three men over the age of 40 with prostate disease have had treatment.
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What is the difference between hyperplasia and hypertrophy?Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size. In medical literature, the two terms are both used to describe BPH.
5 Holden CA, McLachlan RI, Pitts M, Cumming R, Wittert G, Agius P, Handelsman DJ and de Kretser DM. Men in Australia Telephone Survey (MATeS): A national survey of the reproductive heatlh and concerns of middle-aged and older Australian men. Lancet 2005; 366:218-24 Back to top
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