About prostate enlargement
An enlarged prostate is common as you age.
It’s also known as:
- Benign prostatic enlargement
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
An enlarged prostate means the prostate gland has grown bigger. This can make it press on the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder) causing problems urinating.
An enlarged prostate is a benign condition and is not caused by cancer.
Our consultants are experts at managing prostate enlargement and can recommend the right test and treatments to help relieve your symptoms.
Consultants at Birmingham Prostate Clinic have helped pioneer innovative treatments for enlarged prostates, including being some of the first to offer GreenLight laser surgery in the UK.
The prostate is a gland found between the penis and the bladder, and plays an important role in male fertility by producing a fluid that transports and supports semen.
People with a prostate include:
- Men
- Trans women*
- Non-binary people
- Some intersex people
* Trans women can still get an enlarged prostate, even if they take hormones. The prostate is not routinely removed in gender confirmation surgery.
The cause of prostate enlargement is still unclear2. It could be due to changes in your hormone levels as you get older.
You’re more likely to have an enlarged prostate if…
- You are over 50
- Your father or brother have had an enlarged prostate
- You have a sedentary lifestyle (low physical activity)