Prostate Exam BPH

Prostate exam for BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, are procedures used to determine prostate size and urinary obstruction. BPH, also called benign prostatic hypertrophy, is the most common problem that men have with their prostate gland as they get older. After evaluating your medical history and discussing your prostate symptoms with you, our doctors will perform a digital rectal exam (DRE). The DRE which is primarily used to feel for prostate nodules (a possible sign of cancer) can also give the urologist a preliminary indication of the size of the prostate.

Prostate exam for BPH helps to further evaluate any signs of an enlarged prostate that you may have. Prostate enlargement can cause several urinary symptoms, including difficulty starting to urinate, frequent urination, slow or dribbling urinary stream, or a sudden need to urinate, especially at night. If left untreated, an enlarged prostate can lead to bladder stones, bladder infection, blood in your urine (microhematuria or gross hematuria), prostate disease, a urinary blockage, or damage to your kidneys.

Tests to diagnose the enlarged prostate and the effects on our urinary system include: Flexible cystoscopy to visualize the prostatic urethra
Transrectal ultrasound for height, width, length, and volume measurements
Uroflow study to measure the flow of urine and amount of urine
Urodynamic study to measure bladder and abdominal pressures as the bladder fills up with water and during voiding.
Bladder scan to measure the amount of urine in the bladder before and after urination

BPH treatments can range from prescribing prostate medication to shrink the prostate to prostate surgery to remove prostate tissue that is blocking your urinary flow.
One of the more common enlarged prostate treatment procedures is a transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP. The prostate tissue that is blocking the urethra is removed with a special instrument.

A transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) is another way of treating an enlarged prostate. It involves making several small slits in the urethra and prostate gland to remove the pressure on the urethra and increase urine flow. Green light laser prostate surgery heats the interior of the prostate to reduce swelling. Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) is another treatment for BPH that uses small needles to burn away parts of an enlarged prostate with low-level radiofrequency energy. A new procedure that vaporizes and cauterizes excess prostate tissue is called “the button”. Some patients prefer natural remedies for an enlarged prostate, such as the herb saw palmetto for BPH. For some patients, this natural BPH treatment helps reduce the about of DHT produced, the hormone that causes the prostate to grow.

Prostate exam for BPH is an important part of maintaining good prostate health. Enlarged prostate symptoms can be very similar to symptoms of prostate cancer in men. A swollen prostate can form due to prostatitis, or an inflamed prostate due to a prostate infection. Therefore, as you get older, it’s important to have a prostate exam done annually to see if you have a benign prostate or one that is affected by cancer.

<< Prostate Exam Biopsy | Prostate Exam Prostatitis >>