There are many medical conditions that have confusing and erroneous online information. One of these is an enlarged prostate, or BPH. Let’s separate the truth from the myths.
Myth #1: BPH Is The First Step To Cancer
Fact: This is an easy one to spot if you take the time to know what the acronym means. BPH stands for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Benign means NOT cancerous.
BPH is an enlarged prostate gland which many men develop as they age which interferes with the passage of urine.
BPH plays no role in developing cancer. The two conditions are completely unrelated.
Myth #2: Every Man Suffers With Symptoms From BPH
Fact: Some men have no symptoms from BPH. Others can have mild symptoms, but there are men who do have annoying symptoms that keep them awake at night, plus other more serious effects.
They can include the following:
- Urge incontinence
- Thin stream and dribbling at the end
- Difficulty starting to urinate
- Waking up several times at night to pee
Myth #3: You Just Have To Live With BPH
Fact: If your symptoms begin affecting your quality of life, there are treatments that can help. Reach out to Dr. Steven Gange for treatment options in Salt Lake City, UT.
Myth #4: The Larger the Prostate Gets, The Symptoms Are More Severe
Fact: There is no correlation between size and symptoms. A very small enlargement can cause severe symptoms, whereas a larger prostate can cause hardly any effects.
Myth #5: You Don’t Need Any Treatment For BPH
Fact: There are multiple reasons you should see Dr. Steven Gange for treatment. There are other issues that can develop like frequent urinary tract infections or bladder stones. Left untreated, these conditions can lead to kidney and bladder damage. It is important to speak with a doctor about the possibility of kidney damage and loss of kidney function.
Myth #6: Medication Is the Only Treatment For BPH
Fact: Medication may be the first treatment Dr. Steven Gange prescribes to see if your symptoms are reduced. If your symptoms do not improve with meds, there are minimally invasive procedures like UroLift you can consider.
UroLift is a procedure performed in an office setting under local anesthetic. It takes about one hour. It opens the urethra without any cutting, heating, or removal of prostate tissue.
If you are having urinary issues, contact Dr. Steven Gange at (801) 993-1800, or request an appointment online, for a consultation and possible diagnosis of BPH.