The prostate is a male reproductive gland that produces the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. It surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine passes out of the body.
An enlarged prostate means the gland has grown bigger. Prostate enlargement happens to almost all men as they get older. As the gland grows, it can press on the urethra and cause urination and bladder problems.
The actual cause of prostate enlargement is unknown. It is believed that factors linked to aging and the testicles themselves may play a role in the growth of the gland. Men who have had their testicles removed at a young age (for example, as a result of testicular cancer) do not develop BPH.
Similarly, if the testicles are removed after a man develops BPH, the prostate begins to shrink in size.
Some facts about prostate enlargement:
The likelihood of developing an enlarged prostate increases with age.
BPH is so common that it has been said all men will have an enlarged prostate if they live long enough.
A small amount of prostate enlargement is present in many men over age 40 and more than 90% of men over age 80.
No risk factors have been identified other than having normally functioning testicles.
Sexual problems overview (2 images)
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Sexual problems are defined as difficulty during any stage(desire, arousal, orgasm, and resolution) of the sexual act, which prevents the individual or couple from enjoying sexual activity.Sexual difficulties may begin early in a person''s life, or...Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Maternal & Child Health Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 08/01/2008
Diabetes (12 images)
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Diabetes is a chronic(lifelong) disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood.Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar. Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin, resistance to insulin, or both.To understand di...Reviewer: Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 06/17/2008
Heart disease (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Heart disease is any disorder that affects the heart''s ability to function normally. Various forms of heart disease include:.The most common cause of heart disease is a narrowing of or blockage in the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart...Reviewer: David C. Dugdlae, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/05/2008
Urination - painful (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Your health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your symptoms and medication history, such as:.When did the painful urination begin? Reviewer: Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/02/2008
Vasectomy (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A vasectomy is surgery to cut the vas deferens, the tubes that carry a man’s sperm from his scrotum to his urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries sperm and urine out of the penis. Reviewer: Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/07/2009
Erection problems (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
An erection problem is the inability to get or maintain an erection that is firm enough for a man to have intercourse. You may be unable to get an erection at all, or you may lose the erection during intercourse before you are ready. Reviewer: Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 01/14/2009
Hemorrhoids (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins in the lower portion of the rectum or anus.This condition is very common, especially during pregnancy and after childbirth. Hemorrhoids result from increased pressure in the veins of the anus. Reviewer: Todd Eisner, MD, Private practice specializing in Gastroenterology, Boca Raton, FL. Clinical Instructor, Florida Atlantic University School of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 05/15/2009
Testicular cancer (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Testicular cancer is cancer that starts in the testicles, the male reproductive glands located in the scrotum.Cancer- testes; Germ cell tumor; Seminoma testicular cancer; Nonseminoma testicular cancer.The exact cause of testicular cancer is unknow...Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 04/05/2009
Depression (4 images)
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Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods.True clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or...Reviewer: Paul Ballas, DO, Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/20/2009
Birth control and family planning (9 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Which form of birth control you choose depends on a number of different factors, including your health, how often you have sex, and whether or not you want children.Here are some factors to consider when selecting a birth control me...Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 12/31/2008
Male pattern baldness (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men. It usually follows a typical pattern of receding hairline and hair thinning on the crown, and is caused by hormones and genetic predisposition.Alopecia in men; Baldness- male; Hair...Reviewer: Michael Lehrer, MD, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 04/17/2009
Testicular cancer (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Testicular cancer is cancer that starts in the testicles, the male reproductive glands located in the scrotum.Cancer- testes; Germ cell tumor; Seminoma testicular cancer; Nonseminoma testicular cancer.The exact cause of testicular cancer is unknow...Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 04/05/2009
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