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An Introduction To Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

The prostate gland goes through two key phases of growth during a man's development with the first occurring early on in puberty when the gland doubles in size. The second kicks in around the age of 25 and this growth often results in BPH in later years, but it is rare for the symptoms to become apparent before men reach their fourth decade. It is estimated that 50% of men in their sixties and a whopping 90% in their seventies and eighties will experience some enlarged prostate issues.
The layer of surrounding tissue around the prostate stops the gland from expanding externally so the growth is projected inwards strangling the urethra like a clamp on a garden hose. More frequent trips to the bathroom is an early indicator of BPH as the bladder is only partially empted due to this restriction. Prostate enlargement of this type is just as part of the ageing process as is grey hair and wrinkles, but the majority of men are still too embarrassed to discuss the condition because of its association to sex and urination. Come on people...do yourself a favour.

Why Does BPH Occur?

The exact cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia is not really understood , and for hundreds of years all that was known was the condition occurred in older men and it didn't develop in men who had their testes removed before puberty. Therefore ageing and testes seemed to be the common denominators in the equation which eventually led medical researchers to take a long, hard look at hormone related issues as a probable cause of BPH.

Men produce both the male hormone, Testosterone, and to a lesser degree the female hormone, Oestrogen. As men age testosterone production declines leaving a proportionally higher level of oestrogen in the blood, and it is this disparity which could increase the activity of substances within the prostate which enhance cellular growth.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is produced from testosterone, and researchers have found men who do not produce DHT don't develop BPH. Things are certainly looking up for DHT negative eunuchs at this stage, and most animals also benefit by not producing DHT as they age; but if this theory is correct, DHT derived from the small amounts of testosterone produced by the more mature male is encouraging the growth of cells.

And finally, well at-least for now, DNA type instructions given to cells of the prostate in early life are suddenly awakened and start to grow by making them more sensitive to hormones which influence cell growth.