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Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, June 2009.

Answers to questions about enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?

Yes. There are a number of factors that can make you more likely to develop BPH. As you get older you should try to keep fit and healthy to reduce your risk of BPH.

Explanation

BPH is a common condition that is more likely to develop as you get older - four out of every 10 men over 65 have it.

Although BPH isn't generally considered to be a preventable condition, there are certain things that make you more likely to develop BPH.

  • Some genetic factors increase your risk of developing BPH. For example, metabolic syndrome is a group of metabolic disorders including obesity, glucose intolerance, dyslipidaemia (low levels of HDL - high-density lipid - cholesterol) and high blood pressure.
  • Your diet can affect your risk of developing BPH. High levels of dairy products and red meat are associated with an increased risk of BPH.
  • Low levels of physical activity.

To help reduce your risk of developing BPH you should do the following.

  • Lose excess weight - you should have a body mass index in the range 18.5 to 24.9. BMI takes into account your weight and height and is, in general, a good indicator of how much body fat you have.
  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet - this will help to prevent obesity and glucose intolerance. Several substances have been shown to help prevent BPH. These include vitamin E (good sources include plant oils such as soya, corn and olive oil), lycopene (tomatoes are a good source of lycopene) and selenium (good sources include brazil nuts, meat, fish and eggs).
  • Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day at a moderate intensity five days a week. This can cut your risk of BPH by up to half.

For more information about lifestyle changes to improve your health, talk to your GP.

Further information

Sources

  • Longmore M, Wilkinson IB, Rajagopolan S. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. 6th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004:496-497
  • Parsons JK. Modifiable risk factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms: new approaches to old problems. J Urol 2007; 178:395-401. www.jurology.com
  • Simon C, Everitt H, Kendrick T. Oxford Handbook of General Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007:230-231
  • Vitamin E. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 29 August 2008
  • Summer salads. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 29 August 2008
  • Selenium. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 29 August 2008
  • At least five a week: evidence on the impact of physical activity and its relationship to health. Department of Health. 2004. www.dh.gov.uk
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I'm having an operation for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). How long will it take to recover from my operation?

The time it takes for you to recover will depend on the type of surgery you have had. It may take up to six weeks for you to notice an improvement in your symptoms.

Explanation

There are a number of different techniques used for the surgical treatment of BPH. Your surgeon will advise on which is appropriate for you.

If you have the most common type of operation, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), it will take about six weeks before your symptoms improve. In the meantime you may have to urinate more frequently than usual.

After your operation you shouldn't drive for about six weeks and you shouldn't have sex for two weeks. When you start having sex again the amount of semen you ejaculate may be reduced. This happens because sometimes the semen flows backwards into your bladder (retrograde ejaculation). This is harmless but may make your urine appear cloudy and can reduce your fertility.

You may have some blood in your urine (haematuria) or semen (haematospermia) for about two weeks. This is common but can be worrying because a small amount of blood can colour your urine brightly. If the blood continues to be present in your urine for more than two weeks, you should talk to your GP.

There is no evidence that TURP increases the risk of impotence - some men find their erections improve.

If you develop a fever, have pain when passing urine or your urine is smelly you should see your GP as you may have an infection.

Further information

Sources

  • Longmore M, Wilkinson IB, Rajagopolan S. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. 6th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004:262; 496-497
  • Guidelines on benign prostatic hyperplasia. European Association of Urology, 2004. www.uroweb.org
  • Some practical advice. Prostate UK. www.prostateuk.org, accessed 3 September 2008
  • Personal communication, Mr Raj Persad, Consultant Urologist, Spire Bristol Hospital, 10 October 2008
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My GP didn't give me a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test - why not?

PSA testing is usually done to detect prostate cancer. In the UK, PSA testing isn't usually recommended for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Explanation

A PSA test detects the level of PSA in your blood. PSA is a protein that's produced by your prostate gland. As you get older your prostate gland gets bigger and produces more PSA.

Routine PSA testing isn't usually recommended for BPH because it isn't a very specific test. This means that it can give a normal result even if you have cancer, or a high result even if there is nothing wrong with your prostate. If your doctor gives you a PSA test he or she will also use other methods of diagnosis.

Although PSA tests are used to detect prostate cancer, increased PSA levels can also be caused by:

  • BPH
  • infection
  • damage to the prostate gland

Your PSA levels will also go up after you ejaculate or if you have a digital rectal examination.

A PSA test may also detect slow-growing cancer that may never cause any symptoms or shorten your lifespan - even if you have some cancer cells in your prostate, you're more likely to die from another condition.

If your doctor thinks that your prostate may be cancerous, he or she may recommend that you have a prostate biopsy. This means that your surgeon will remove a small piece of tissue. The sample will be sent to a laboratory for examination to find out if it's cancer and if so, how fast it's growing.

Further information

Sources

  • Guidelines on benign prostatic hyperplasia. European Association of Urology, 2004. www.uroweb.org
  • Prostate - Benign hyperplasia - Management. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 16 July 2008
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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: June 2009

Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) factsheet

 

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