Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a benign enlargement of the prostate with a progressive course.

It is the most common disease of the prostate. Enlargement of the prostate is present in every second man between the ages of 50 and 60 and in more than 80 percent of men over the age of 80. Clinical symptoms include prostate enlargement itself, bladder obstruction and lower urinary tract symptoms (delayed urination, prolonged bladder emptying, weakened urinary stream, urinary stuttering, post urinary dribbling, feeling of incomplete emptying and feeling of pressure as well as frequent urination during the day and at night, strong urge to urinate and urge incontinence). The impact of these complaints can greatly affect the quality of life.

Options for treatment include “watchful waiting” (regular monitoring without therapeutic intervention when symptoms are mild), drug therapy with herbal preparations, alpha-blockers or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, and surgical procedures.¹

¹ Haberfeld H., Summer Academy Pörtschach 2010 – The lectures of the 3rd session. ÖAZ, 2010, 64: 704-707.