Prostate enlargement is as common a part of aging as gray hair. As life expectancy rises, so does the occurrence of BPH. BPH is not a life-threatening disorder, but its symptoms can be quite troublesome and distressing.

BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. BPH stands for benign prostatic hyperplasia (also known as Benign Enlargement of the Prostate or BEP). As age advances, the prostate gland slowly grows bigger (or enlarges). The word "benign" means the enlargement that it isn't cancerous. The word "hyperplasia" means enlargement.

Because the prostate surrounds the urethra, when it gets bigger, it may press on the urethra. This may pose difficulty in passing urine. The individual usually seeks medical advice for these urinary problems rather than complaints of prostate per se.

BPH rarely causes symptoms before age 40, but more than half of men in their sixties and as many as 90% in their seventies and eighties have some symptoms of BPH.

As the prostate enlarges, the capsule or membrane surrounding it stops it from expanding, causing the gland to press against the urethra like a clamp on a garden hose. As a result, the bladder has to work harder to empty the urine. Thus the gland becomes thicker and prone to excessive contractions. The bladder begins to contract even when it contains small amounts of urine, causing more frequent urination. Over time, this extra effort causes the bladder muscle to weaken and lose the ability to empty itself. As a result, urine remains in the bladder even after urination. The combination of these problems leads to the discomfort and complications associated with an enlarged prostate.

Most symptoms of BPH start gradually over time. Many symptoms of BPH stem from obstruction of the urethra and gradual loss of bladder function. The symptoms of BPH vary, but the most common ones are as follows: