What is the prostate gland?

The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland situated between the bladder and penis. Located just before the rectum, the prostrate discharges fluid, which is important for the nourishment and proper functioning of the sperm. During sexual intercourse, the prostate gland emits this fluid into the urethra and it is ejaculated along with million of sperms as semen. The urethra passes through the middle of the prostate moving from the bladder to the penis, thus facilitating the smooth flow of urine out of the body. From all of this, we can understand that a healthy prostate gland is very important for a healthy and moving sperm. In a post-pubescent male, the prostate gland maintains its walnut size till age 40. Sometimes, the prostate gland is seen in an enlarged condition and this can lead to complications, the details of which are explained below:

Understanding Enlarged Prostate

The medical term for the enlarged prostate condition isbenign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, as it is commonly referred to. Most people confuse the enlarged prostate with prostate cancer, but it is not so and it is a wrong notion that a person with enlarged prostate will most likely develop prostate cancer. BPH occurs with ageing and is very common in men aged above 50. In this condition, the inflamed prostate squeezes the urethra, the main carrier of urine and semen out of the body. When there is pressure on the urethra, you may feel the need for frequent urination and many other related symptoms.

Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate

Now that we have understood what is an enlarged prostate, let us take a look at the main symptoms with which this condition can be easily identified:

1. Frequent urination: A major enlarged prostate symptom is the need to frequently urinate. If a person notices an increase in the number of times, he is using the washroom, then it is time for him to go for a check-up.
2. Interrupted urinary system: Another symptom of BPH is an interrupted urinary system where all the urine is not passed at one time and the person has to visit the toilet many times.
3. Bladder feels “full”: A person may be suffering from enlarged prostate, when even though he has urinated many times, the bladder always feels full and need to urinate is more than ever.
4. Sudden need to urinate: Due to the pressure of the enlarged prostate on the urethra, the person concerned will experience sudden need to urinate and this can prove to be problematic at times.

Tests and Diagnosis  

With the advancement in medical technology, there are many tests to detect and diagnose enlarged prostate for quick treatment and recovery. Some of the common ones are:

1. Digital Rectal Exam: In this examination, the doctor will insert a gloved finger into the rectum to feel and understand the enlargement of the prostate as this can be felt through the rectum wall.

• Urine test: As in most cases, the doctor will order a urine test, which will show whether there are any infections or any other problems. The urine test will rule out any form of bladder infection/cancer as the reason for the urinary problems.

• Prostate Specific Antigen Test (PSA): This test takes stock of the level of prostate-specific antigen present in the blood. The test results will indicate if the person suffers from an enlarged prostate and whether the condition is long term.

Treatment Options Once the diagnosis of an enlarged prostate has been done, let us take a look at the treatment options. These include making simple lifestyle changes like watching your diet, regular exercise, avoiding over-the-counter medications etc. Advanced cases of enlarged prostate may require medications or supplements or surgery as a last resort. Patients should always discuss in detail with their specialists before taking the final decision. At Gujarat Superspeciality Hospital, a team of experienced and best Urology specialists are always available to offer the best treatment to BPH patients.