The human prostate gland is located at the base of the bladder and surrounds the urethra. It is a small gland that produces fluid that helps to keep the bladder and urethra clean. The prostate is a very important part of our body because it helps us to have an erection, and it also helps to prevent urine from leaking out of the bladder. The prostate is about 1 inch long and 0.5 inch in diameter.
The prostate gland can become enlarged, or hyperplastic, due to many different causes. These include infection, injury, hormonal changes, and age. Prostatitis is a common condition where the prostate gland becomes inflamed and swollen. Enlargement of the prostate is called benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH. This is a very common condition in men over 50 years old. If left untreated, this condition can cause urinary problems.
There are many treatments for BPH. Medications like alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are used to treat the condition. Surgery is another option. A transurethral resection is done by inserting a laser through the urethra to remove the tissue from the prostate gland. This procedure is very effective and has low side effects. Another surgical treatment is a transurethral needle ablation (TUNA). This procedure involves inserting a thin wire into the prostate gland through the urethra. The wire heats up and destroys the tissue. This procedure is not recommended if there is bleeding in the bladder or if the patient has had surgery on the bladder or prostate.
If you have BPH, your doctor may recommend a watchful waiting approach. In this case, you will be monitored by your doctor to see if the condition gets worse. There is no treatment for BPH if the condition does not get worse. If you have severe symptoms, you may need to consider other treatments.
