Many men over the age of 50 experience sleepless nights due to the frequent need to urinate. Does this sound familiar? Are you disrupting your partner's sleep with regular trips to the bathroom? You may be suffering from an BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), often known as enlarged prostate, and what better time to start the conversation than Movember.
Movember is a charitable campaign held annually in November to bring difficult conversations about men’s health and wellness to the forefront. While the charity focused initially on prostate cancer, it has expanded its mission in recent years to include awareness-building efforts around a number of men’s health issues.
BPH, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that occurs as men age, may be mistaken as an untreatable part of the aging process, rather than a condition that can be treated with a visit to the urologist’s office. Due to lack of awareness about the signs and symptoms of BPH, many men are left undiagnosed. The most common symptoms associated with enlarged prostate are frequent urination and the inability to empty the bladder. If left untreated, an enlarged prostate may lead to permanent bladder damage.
While BPH is a benign condition and unrelated to prostate cancer, it can greatly affect a man's quality of life. A recent survey found that 82% of men wake up at least one time each night to urinate on a regular basis. The study further identified that symptoms of enlarged prostate also impact men’s partners. Of the women surveyed, 64% reported that their sleep is often interrupted due to their partners’ BPH symptoms. However, enlarged prostate can impact more than just sleep.
Many couples aren’t aware that erectile dysfunction (ED) may be linked to BPH. While the issue often remains undiscussed, according to another recent survey, over 90 percent of men surveyed said that they would likely seek minimally invasive procedures if they carried less risk of impotence or incontinence. Like men, romance is also important to women -- and medical professionals have suggested that a healthy sex life may improve life-expectancy and overall health and wellness.
There are many treatment options available for men who suffer from BPH. Prescription medication is often a first-in-line approach recommended by urologists – as well as medical procedures. However, it is important to know the potential risks associated with the use of medication and more invasive procedures.
Along with traditional treatment options, there have been many advancements in the field of urology. The UroLift® System is a proven treatment for enlarged prostate and the Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure (using the UroLift System) has been recommended by the American Urological Association. It is typically an outpatient procedure that can be performed in the doctor’s office in about an hour. Many are experiencing rapid recovery in days, not months. There is no better time than this Movember to visit www.urolift.com and find a doctor near you.
If you have questions about your prostate health or other urological issues, the staff at Affiliated Urologists are happy to talk with you.
Affiliated Urologists is an award-winning practice recognized both locally and nationally that has provided service to patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and surrounding communities in the Valley, for over 40 years. The physicians emphasize top-of-the-line comprehensive urological care and strive to deliver the highest outcomes for patient satisfaction. To make an appointment, call 602-264-0608 or contact us for instructions on scheduling an appointment.
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
1 Abrams, et al, Neurourology and Urodynamics 2002; Maximilian, et al. BJU Intl 2012
2 Tubaro et al. 2003 Drugs Aging
3 Lipshultz, Larry. “What’s the Link Between an Enlarged Prostate and ED?” Prostate.net, 2018, prostate.net/health-centers/erectile-dysfunction/questions-getting-help-ed/whats-link-enlarged-prostate-ed.
4 Castleman, Michael. “The Prescription for a Longer Life? More Sex.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 2015, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-about-sex/201705/the-prescription-longer-life-more-sex.
