BPH Specialist

Dr. Klope Urology Our Services BPH

William T. Klope, MD

Urologist & Aesthetic Specialist located in Ventura, CA

If you’re over 50 and having trouble urinating or are urinating more frequently, you may have benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), also called enlarged prostate. BPH is the most common prostate condition for men over 50. Dr. William T. Klope of William T. Klope, MD Inc. in Ventura, California, has almost three decades of experience treating all types of urologic conditions. To learn more about BPH, call or make an appointment online.

BPH Q & A

What is BPH?

As men get older, their prostates get larger. Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition where the prostate becomes enlarged and presses against the urethra, the tube that transports urine from your bladder through your penis and out of your body. This can block or narrow this tube, causing various bladder issues.

Because the prostate grows as men age, BPH is more common in older men and rarely an issue with men under 40. Half of men between 51 and 60 have BPH. In men 80 and over, 90% have BPH. BPH is not cancerous and there are a number of treatment options.

What are the symptoms of BPH?

Primary symptoms of BPH are problems with urination, and these problems tend to get worse over time. Common BPH symptoms include:

  • Frequent need to urinate
  • Nocturia, the need to urinate frequently at night
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Weak urine stream
  • Dribbling after urination
  • Urinary urgency
  • Trouble emptying your bladder
  • Pain during urination

BPH can also lead to a urinary tract infection (UTI) and kidney problems.

How is BPH diagnosed?

Dr. Klope begins with a physical exam and medical history. Your exam may include the following tests to diagnose BPH and rule out other conditions:

  • Digital rectal exam (DRE)
  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test to screen for prostate cancer
  • Urinalysis
  • Blood test to test for kidney problems
  • Ultrasound

What are the treatment options for BPH?

Your treatment plan will depend on the severity of your symptoms, your age, and the size of your prostate. Options include:

  • Medication: There are several types of medications including alpha blockers, which relax your prostate and bladder muscles, and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which block the production of a male hormone that promotes prostate growth.
  • Minimally invasive surgeries: If medications don’t relieve your symptoms, minimally invasive surgery is a good option for men with moderate to severe symptoms who have trouble urinating. Minimally invasive surgeries such as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and prostatic stent insertion can help eliminate enlarged prostate tissue and relieve blockage of the urethra.
  • Surgery: If medication and minimally invasive surgeries fail to relieve your symptoms, a surgical procedure may be the right option for you. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the most common and effective surgery for BPH.

If you’re experiencing problems with urination or suspect you may have BPH, call or book an appointment online today.

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