My Prostate Clinic

Menu
Find a Provider

About BPH

Take Risk Assessment Now

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Signs, Symptoms, and Differential Diagnosis

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition affecting older men, characterized by non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. This white paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of BPH, its signs and symptoms, and other conditions that may present similarly.
Take Risk Assessment Now

What is BPH?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is when the prostate gland grows larger than normal. This growth is not caused by cancer and typically occurs in two phases:

  • 1. Early puberty

    The prostate doubles in size

  • 2. From age 25 onward

    Continuous growth throughout life.

BPH often develops during the second growth phase, usually in men over 50 years old

Signs and Symptoms of BPH

It’s important to note that the severity of symptoms doesn’t always correlate with the size of the prostate enlargement.
The enlarged prostate can compress the urethra, leading to various urinary symptoms. Common signs and symptoms include:

Obstructive Symptoms

  • Difficulty starting urination
  • Weak urine stream with interruptions
  • Dribbling at the end of urination
  • Inability to completely empty the bladder

Irritative Symptoms

  • Frequent urination, especially at night (nocturia)
  • Sudden, strong urges to urinate (urgency)
  • Sensation of incomplete bladder emptying

Obstructive Symptoms

  • Urinary incontinence in severe cases
  • Urinary retention (inability to urinate)
  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)

Our Simple Process

Several other conditions can present with symptoms similar to BPH. These include:

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

  • Frequent, urgent urination
  • Burning sensation during urination
  • Cloudy or bloody urine

Prostatitis (Inflammation of the Prostate)

  • Pain in the lower back, abdomen, or groin
  • Painful urination and ejaculation
  • Flu-like symptoms in acute bacterial prostatitis

Urethral Stricture

  • Weak urine stream
  • Difficulty starting urination
  • Spraying of urine stream

Bladder Cancer

  • Blood in urine
  • Frequent urination
  • Urgency to urinate

Neurogenic Bladder

  • Difficulty emptying the bladder
  • Urinary frequency and urgency
  • Possible incontinence

Overactive Bladder

  • Sudden, strong urges to urinate
  • Frequent urination
  • Possible incontinence

Bladder Stones

  • Frequent urination
  • Pain or burning during urination
  • Blood in urine

Prostate Cancer

  • Difficulty urinating
  • Weak urine flow
  • Blood in urine or semen

Find out if you are a candidate

Take Risk Assessment Now

Differential Diagnosis

Given the overlap in symptoms, a thorough diagnostic process is crucial. This typically includes:

  • Medical history and symptom assessment

  • Physical examination, including digital rectal exam

  • Urinalysis and urine culture

  • Blood tests, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

  • Imaging studies (e.g., transrectal ultrasound)

  • Urodynamic tests

  • Cystoscopy in some cases

Are you at risk of suffering BPH?

While BPH is a common cause of urinary symptoms in older men, several other conditions can present similarly. Accurate diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Men experiencing urinary symptoms should consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and care.
Scroll to Top