Prostate enlargement is a very common problem in men aged over 50 years of age. Naturally prostate gland enlarges after 50 years of age. In some men, it enlarges a lot and causes urinary obstruction. The urinary passage passes from the bladder through the prostate and outside through a tube called urethra. When prostate enlarges it compresses the urethra passing through the prostate. Therefore, urine cannot be emptied freely.

It does not cause any pain initially. The initial symptomsare frequent urination and passing urine at night. Then flow decreases over many years. Finally urine starts to get collected inside bladder leading to infection, stone formation and bladder or kidney damage.

Prostate enlargement can be diagnosed by finger palpation through the anus and ultrasound examination of abdomen. PSA or prostate specific antigen is a simple blood test which can rule out any cancer in prostate. Its value should be < 4 ng/l.

Treatment options:

1. Observation: In early stages no treatment is required. Only regulkar check ups once in 3 to 6 months is advised.
2. Medical Therapy: If the urine block is not much, then medicines can be used to open up the block and reduce the size of prostate.
3. Endoscopic Treatment: TURP (Trans Urethral Resection of Prostate) is the Gold standard treatment for prostate enlargement. It is done through the natural urinary passage without any cut outside. Bipolar or Saline TURP is the recent advancement in TURP. Laser prostatectomy is another option formtreatment of enlarged prostate.
4. Open Surgery: Is rarely done for very large prostate glands.