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What is BPH?
BPH stands for benign prostatic hyperplasia. It means an enlarged prostate gland, which is common as men get older.
The prostate sits just below the bladder and surrounds part of the urethra. When it grows, it can press on the tube that carries urine out of the body.
Age and hormone changes
The main cause of BPH is ageing. It is much more common in men over 50, and the risk rises as you get older.
Changes in hormone balance seem to play a part, especially the way testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. Over time, these changes may encourage prostate cells to grow.
Family history and genetics
BPH can run in families. If your father or brother had an enlarged prostate, you may be more likely to develop it too.
This suggests that inherited genes may influence how the prostate grows with age. Genetics are not the only factor, but they can increase your risk.
Other risk factors
Being overweight may raise the chances of BPH. Carrying extra weight is linked with changes in hormones and inflammation, both of which may affect the prostate.
Type 2 diabetes and heart disease are also associated with a higher risk. These conditions may not directly cause BPH, but they often occur alongside it.
What does not cause it?
BPH is not caused by cancer. It is a benign, or non-cancerous, condition, although it can cause similar urinary symptoms.
It is also not usually caused by infection, poor hygiene, or sexual activity. These are common myths, but they are not the main reasons the prostate enlarges.
Why it matters
As the prostate grows, it can make passing urine more difficult. Men may notice a weak stream, needing to go more often, or getting up at night to urinate.
If these symptoms affect you, speak to your GP. Other conditions can cause similar problems, so it is important to get the right diagnosis.
What is BPH?
BPH means a prostate gland that is bigger than normal. The prostate is a small gland in men. It often gets bigger as men get older.
The prostate is below the bladder. It sits around the tube that carries urine out of the body. If it gets bigger, it can press on this tube.
Age and hormone changes
The main cause of BPH is getting older. It is more common in men over 50.
Changes in hormones may also play a part. One hormone called testosterone changes into another hormone called DHT. This may make prostate cells grow.
Family history and genetics
BPH can run in families. If your father or brother had it, you may be more likely to get it too.
This means genes may play a part. Genes are passed down from parents to children. They are not the only reason, but they can raise the risk.
Other risk factors
Being overweight may make BPH more likely. Extra weight can affect hormones and cause inflammation in the body.
Type 2 diabetes and heart disease are also linked with BPH. They may not cause it, but they can happen at the same time.
What does not cause it?
BPH is not cancer. It is not cancerous. But it can cause some of the same urine problems.
It is usually not caused by infection, poor washing, or sex. These are myths, but they are not the main cause.
Why it matters
When the prostate gets bigger, it can make it hard to pass urine. You may notice a weak stream, needing to go more often, or getting up at night to pee.
If you have these signs, speak to your GP. Other health problems can cause the same symptoms, so it is important to get the right help.
Supportive tools can help. Use a toilet diary to write down how often you pee. Drink water in small amounts through the day. A reminder app or phone alarm may help you remember medicine or toilet visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, is mainly caused by age-related hormonal changes, especially shifts in testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels, that make prostate cells grow over time.
Yes. Aging is the strongest risk factor for BPH, and the condition becomes much more common as men get older.
Hormones play a major role in BPH. Changes in testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estrogen balance can stimulate prostate growth.
Yes. Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, is a hormone that helps drive prostate enlargement in many men with BPH.
A family history of BPH can increase the likelihood of developing it, suggesting a genetic contribution.
BPH is not directly inherited in a simple way, but genetics can influence a person’s risk.
Obesity does not directly cause BPH, but it is associated with a higher risk of developing prostate enlargement.
A sedentary lifestyle may be linked to a greater risk of BPH, likely through its effects on weight, metabolism, and overall health.
Yes. Conditions such as insulin resistance, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome are associated with a higher chance of BPH.
Chronic inflammation in the prostate may contribute to tissue growth and play a role in BPH development.
Testosterone itself is not usually the sole cause, but it can be converted into DHT, which is more directly linked to prostate growth.
Yes. Changes in the balance between estrogen and testosterone with aging may help promote prostate enlargement.
Diet does not directly cause BPH, but unhealthy eating patterns may increase risk indirectly by contributing to obesity and metabolic problems.
High blood pressure is not a direct cause, but it often occurs alongside other conditions that are associated with BPH.
Medications do not usually cause BPH itself, but some can worsen urinary symptoms in men who already have prostate enlargement.
Yes. BPH develops when prostate cells multiply and the prostate gradually enlarges, especially in the central part of the gland.
No. BPH is not caused by prostate cancer, and the two are separate conditions, although they can occur in the same person.
Yes. Lifestyle factors such as excess weight, poor diet, and inactivity may increase the likelihood of developing BPH.
Stress is not considered a direct cause of BPH, but it may worsen urinary symptoms and overall health.
BPH happens more often in older men because long-term hormonal changes and aging prostate tissue make enlargement more likely over time.
BPH means the prostate gets bigger. This is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia.
It usually happens as men get older. Changes in hormones in the body can make the prostate grow slowly over time. The main hormones are testosterone and dihydrotestosterone.
If reading this is hard, it can help to read one short section at a time. You can also ask someone to read it with you, or use text-to-speech tools to listen instead.
Yes. Age is the biggest risk factor for BPH. This means BPH is much more common in older men.
Hormones help control how the body works.
In BPH, hormones can affect the prostate gland. Changes in testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estrogen can make the prostate grow bigger.
Yes. Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, is a hormone in the body. It can help the prostate grow bigger in many men with BPH.
A family history of BPH can make it more likely that you may develop it too. This means genes may play a part.
BPH is an illness that can run in families, but it is not passed on in a simple way.
This means that if other people in your family have had BPH, you may have a higher chance of getting it too.
If you are worried, ask a doctor or nurse. It may help to write down your family health history before your appointment.
Being overweight does not directly cause BPH. BPH is when the prostate becomes bigger.
But being overweight can make BPH more likely.
If you are worried about your prostate, talk to a doctor. They can help you understand what is happening.
Helpful tools can include simple notes, a symptom diary, or asking someone you trust to go with you to appointments.
A life with little movement may raise the chance of BPH. This may happen because it can affect body weight, how the body uses energy, and general health.
Yes. Some health problems can make BPH more likely.
These include insulin resistance, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
If you have one of these conditions, talk to a doctor or nurse. They can give you advice and support.
Long-lasting swelling in the prostate may help the tissue grow bigger. This may be part of how BPH starts.
Testosterone is not usually the only cause. But the body can change it into DHT. DHT is more closely linked to the prostate getting bigger.
Yes.
As people get older, the balance between estrogen and testosterone can change. This may help the prostate grow bigger.
Diet does not directly cause BPH.
But unhealthy food choices may raise the risk in a roundabout way.
This is because they can lead to:
- weight gain
- obesity
- problems with metabolism
Eating a balanced diet may help support better health.
If reading is hard, try:
- reading one sentence at a time
- using a screen reader
- asking someone to read it with you
High blood pressure does not directly cause BPH.
But it can happen at the same time as other health problems linked to BPH.
Medicines do not usually cause BPH.
But some medicines can make urine problems worse.
This can happen in men who already have an enlarged prostate.
Yes. BPH happens when cells in the prostate grow and divide. This makes the prostate slowly get bigger. It often happens in the middle part of the gland.
No. BPH is not caused by prostate cancer.
They are two different health problems.
Some people can have both at the same time.
Yes. Some things in life can make BPH more likely.
These include:
- carrying extra weight
- eating too much unhealthy food
- not moving around enough
Healthy food, regular activity, and support from a doctor can help. Some people also find it useful to use reminders, picture guides, or help from a family member or carer.
Stress does not directly cause BPH.
But stress can make urinary symptoms worse.
It can also affect your general health.
If stress is making things harder, try simple support tools.
These can help:
- slow breathing
- a calm daily routine
- short walks
- drinking water at regular times
- talking to a doctor or nurse
BPH happens more often in older men.
This is because the body changes with age.
The prostate can grow bigger over time.
This can happen because of long-term hormone changes and natural aging.
Helpful tools can include large print, short sentences, and reading one sentence at a time.
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