The disease makes it difficult for men to urinate

Some men share the feeling that the bladder is full, even wanting to "explode" but have difficulty urinating, urinating less or more often. No matter how hard they try, they can't empty their bladder. Urologists say these symptoms indicate a blockage in the urinary tract due to an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The prostate gland is about the size of a chestnut, located below the bladder and surrounding the urethra, the tube that carries urine out. The prostate gland is also located just in front of the rectum, responsible for producing the thin, milky semen that is important for the normal functioning of sperm cells and fertility in men. It also plays a role in pushing semen out during ejaculation.

According to the American Urological Care Foundation, the prostate continues to grow throughout a man's life and can be as big as an orange. But that growth must be limited because when it is too big, it will lead to hypertrophy, causing men to experience conditions such as: straining to urinate, slow urine flow, frequent waking at night to urinate and inability to empty the bladder.

Dr Thiruchelvam Jegathesan, consultant urologist at a hospital in Singapore, said patients with high-grade obstruction are more likely to develop urinary tract infections and bladder stones. “The exact reason for BPH is unknown but is thought to be related to age and male hormones. These factors cause the proliferation of prostate cells. Usually, BPH occurs after age 50 and becomes more common with age,” he said.

A study done in Singapore supports the link between age and prostate enlargement that Dr Jegathesan mentioned. As the population ages, the proportion of patients with moderate to severe BPH symptoms has increased, from 10% in 1997 to 14% in 2005 and 16,5% in 2012.

Dr Fiona Wu, consultant urologist, suggests that being more aware of BPH has also resulted in a higher incidence rate recorded over the years. “Nowadays, many men seek advice from urologists earlier because they have seen how their fathers and grandfathers struggled with symptoms of BPH,” she says.

Because prostate enlargement is at the root of the problem, treatment often focuses on removing or shrinking the organ, or widening the constriction to allow better urine flow, says Dr. Wu. However, prostate enlargement and accompanying urinary problems may recur after treatment. "Urologists will use different approaches to treat recurrent BPH depending on the patient's condition, age, and physicality," says Dr.

Some of the treatments include:

Endoscopic Prostatectomy (TURP): For patients with acute or chronic urinary retention, recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney failure; large bladder diverticulum or failure of medical treatment.

Transurethral prostatectomy (TUIP): TUIP is often performed as an add-on procedure for patients undergoing TURP. This method is for people with a prostate gland less than 30g as well as a high or narrow bladder neck.

Laser removal of excess: Laser therapy with less bleeding is suitable for patients who are taking antiplatelet drugs (platelet agglutination inhibitors) or anticoagulants to reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack.

Prostate urethral lift (PUL): This new treatment doesn't remove any tissue but uses small, stainless steel forceps, permanently placed in the body, to lift or hold prostate tissue, making it easier for urine to flow through the urethra. PUL is intended for men with prostates between 30g and 80g and is also suitable for men who want to maintain erectile function and ejaculation.

Medicine: Depending on the size of the prostate gland, age, health and the degree of discomfort caused by symptoms, the patient will be prescribed the appropriate medication. But usually, this method will take more time and not give immediate results like the tricks mentioned above. The use of the drug can also experience side effects such as low blood pressure, erectile dysfunction and decreased sex drive. Even so, the size of the prostate only decreased by 18-28%.

Prostate enlargement affects not only the health but also the daily activities of men. Therefore, when experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms, men should see medical professionals for timely examination and treatment.

Hai My (According to CNA Lifestyle)