Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate is characterized by an increase in the volume of your prostate due to excessive multiplication of your cells. It is a natural phenomenon as we age. This increase or expansion can compress your urinary canal (the urethra), causing certain urinary symptoms.

If you have BPH, it’s important to separate the facts from the myths so you can make an informed decision on what to do next.

Medically reviewed by Endo-Urologist Malek Meskawi on 08/08/2022

Myth: The bigger the prostate, the more severe the symptoms

Fact: Although it may seem logical, the size of your prostate is not necessarily related to the severity of your symptoms. Some men have a very large prostate causing few symptoms, while others have significant symptoms when their prostate is barely swollen.

Myth: BPH is linked to prostate cancer

Fact: BPH is not a form of prostate cancer and does not increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Both diseases can have similar symptoms, although most of the time prostate cancer has no symptoms. It is common to have both BPH and prostate cancer.

Myth: BPH only occurs in older men

Fact: Although BPH is more common in older men, it is also true that one can develop prostate problems at any age. For BPH, age is a risk factor, but not a dividing line. Even men in their 50s can be diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Myth: BPH should always be treated medically

Fact: In fact, 1 in 4 men will need treatment for significant symptoms. If you’ve been diagnosed with BPH, but don’t have any bothersome symptoms, you won’t need medical treatment. On the other hand, if you have a few symptoms, lifestyle changes such as avoiding caffeine, spicy foods and maintaining a healthy weight may be enough to manage them.

Myth: Cutting fluid intake helps with frequent bathroom trips

Reality: Quite the opposite! Your symptoms will be exacerbated in addition to promoting the occurrence of urinary tract infections. You need to hydrate. Drink at least eight glasses of water throughout the day to prevent conditions such as urinary tract infection, constipation, and kidney stones that cause incontinence. You should also consider drinking most of your fluids during the day and limiting the amount of fluids you drink at night before you go to bed.

Myth: BPH surgery may have the added benefit of preventing prostate cancer

Fact: A common belief is that surgery for the treatment of BPH can also reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. However, this opinion is just a myth. Indeed, only the internal part of the prostate, therefore the one surrounding your urethra, is removed or destroyed during this surgery while cancer generally develops in the external part of your prostate. There is therefore no way to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by having recourse to this type of surgery.

Myth: Frequent or infrequent sexual activity is unhealthy for the prostate

Fact: There is no evidence to suggest that BPH is caused or made worse by sexual habits.

In conclusion, don’t wait to see a doctor. If the enlargement of your prostate is a natural phenomenon, urinary problems are not.

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