How can I reduce my prostate enlargement is a common question among older male adults. Prostate problems are prevalent among that demographic with the risks increasing significantly as you age. The risk of an enlarged prostate, which is a health condition known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) ranges around 50% for people between the ages of 51 to 60. So, how do you manage your risk? And what are the causes of prostate enlargement in older adults? Let’s find out the risk factors and causes followed by simple steps you can take to help reduce an enlarged prostate.

Prostate Enlargement Causes

The exact cause of prostate enlargement is not well understood medically. However, it is well-founded that the risk of this condition increases significantly with age. Doctors suspect ageing along with changes in the cells of the testicles lead to the enlargement of the prostate gland over time. 

This hypothesis is proven by people who have had to remove their testicles at an early age due to conditions like testicular cancer. Such patients don’t develop an enlarged prostate gland even as they age. However, the removal of the testicles is not a standard treatment option for prostate enlargement. Now that you know about prostate enlargement causes, let’s review the different risk factors of prostate enlargement.

Prostate Enlargement Risk Factors

The most critical risk factors for prostate enlargement are age and family history. Any male over the age of 40 is at a high risk of prostate enlargement. Family history of the condition as well as underlying health conditions like cardiovascular problems, circulatory problems, diabetes, and obesity also contribute to the risk of BPH. 

Doctors have also found that an excess level of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) hormone in the male system can also lead to an increased risk of prostate enlargement. Smoking and excessive use of alcohol have also been linked with an increased risk of prostate enlargement.

At-Home Steps For Enlarged Prostate Reduction

Given the risk of an enlarged prostate is very high as you age, these at-home treatment options also work as a good way for you to prevent prostate enlargement. If you have already been diagnosed, these steps can help you stop the further development of BPH.

• Quitting alcohol or minimising alcohol intake. Alcohol makes you urinate more, which can be problematic due to the enlarged prostate.
   
• Monitor your consumption of caffeine, tea, and soda drinks. These drinks are diuretic and can fuel your symptoms. You also need to monitor the consumption of drinks with artificial sweeteners, as they can irritate your bladder.
   
• Reducing your fluid intake in the evening can help you reduce the times you need to wake up at night to go to the bathroom. The key is to not consume any fluids up to two hours before your bedtime. This will help you get uninterrupted sleep.
   
• Remember to add more fibre to your diet as without fibre you are more prone to constipation. It can put increased pressure on your bladder, worsening your symptoms.
   
• Lastly, you need to practice double voiding, a technique in which you wait a few moments after urinating to dribble out any remaining urine in your system. This will help you reduce your urinary urgency and manage your symptoms better.

Enlarged Prostate Treatment

Now that you know about the at-home steps to help you with enlarged prostate reduction, it is time to know about the enlarged prostate treatment options. These treatment options are focused on medications and surgery, and they can help you treat your condition.

Medications

Several medications work to manage the symptoms of prostate enlargement, from alpha-blockers, which help relax the muscles in your prostate gland, to 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which help shrink an enlarged prostate. These medicines are highly effective and can help you treat the condition or manage your symptoms better. 

Medications are used to treat an enlarged prostate mostly in cases where an early diagnosis can be achieved. However, the abovementioned medicines can also be used in patients with advanced BPH.

Surgery

There are several types of minimally invasive and noninvasive treatment options to treat the enlarged prostate. The most commonly used surgical treatments are mentioned below.

• Holmium Laser (HoLEP): Holmium laser treatment is the most popular surgical treatment option for an enlarged prostate because it is noninvasive or minimally invasive. Doctors use a high-powered laser to remove the enlarged part of the prostate that is blocking the flow of urine. This treatment has minimal risks and allows the patient to recover swiftly after the procedure.
   
• Transurethral Resection of The Prostate (TURP): TURP is also a noninvasive procedure. It involves inserting surgical tools through the hole in the urethra to remove the enlarged portion of the prostate gland. The main surgical tool used to perform this procedure is a resectoscope. As a noninvasive procedure, this treatment is safe and allows for improvement of the symptoms from day one.
   
• Water Ablation: is another noninvasive procedure in which doctors insert water through the urethral opening to destroy some parts of the enlarged prostate gland, making it smaller in the process. This procedure has fewer risks than a TURP; however, it is absolutely important to get the best possible doctor to perform it.

Conclusion

There are several ways to treat an enlarged prostate and based on your symptoms and the extent of the enlargement, doctors can recommend the best treatment option for your condition. To learn more about enlarged prostate treatment, check out MASSH. We specialize in minimally invasive and noninvasive treatment options for enlarged prostate and can help you get your symptoms treated in no time. Visit our website to learn more about surgical treatment for BPH at MASSH or you can visit us today to consult with our specialists.