Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Last updated: May 18, 2026

Water vapor therapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – Non invasive day-care procedure

Water Vapor therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia – Patient instructions

BPH or Benign prostatic hyperplasia is one of the most complaining issue in my office and it is gradually annoying urinary symptoms especially for the elderly male. The complaint can be manifested with a various kind of symptoms as following;

Symptoms suspected BPH.

Weak urinary stream which make straining habits
Inability to completely empty the bladder
Increased frequency urination at night and felt fatigue in the morning
Frequent to urinate
Urgent need to urinate
Dribbling and splitting stream while urination

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Prostate gland is located between Bladder and Urethra

These symptoms might be a benign prostatic disease or we called it in a medical word “Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.” Basically, we’ve suspected this condition mostly in male whose age 50 years old up. There are 3 fulfilled requirements for this condition.

Male having the prostate gland – BPH will not occur in females or in males with genetic conditions causing absent prostatic tissue.
Male possessing androgen (male hormone) – Androgen is an essential hormone driving prostatic growth. Classical literature shows that males with androgen insufficiency syndrome from birth do not develop BPH.
Aging progress – Extensive literature consistently identifies aging as the fundamental trigger for BPH. The prostate gland increases in both cell number and cell size over time, which is why prostate size measurement is part of the diagnostic workup.

From papers in the U.S., BPH affects 50% of men aged 50 and over, 70% between 60–69 years old, and more than 80% of men aged 70 and above. While BPH cannot be fully prevented, we can delay and reduce its progression by managing the following modifiable risk factors.

Metabolic syndrome – Strong evidence shows that hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia significantly increase prostate size.
Obesity – Obesity appears to increase oxidative stress particles within prostatic tissue, contributing to gland enlargement.

Some medical complications can be occurred from BPH, for example; Bladder infection or Acute urinary retention. If you have more questions or you need to make the discussion, feel free to text or PM me, initially.

If you have been experiencing BPH-related urinary symptoms or would like to explore treatment options including water vapor therapy, Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone offers specialist consultations at Bangkok Hospital Headquarters. Book a Consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that commonly affects men aged 50 and above. As the prostate grows, it compresses the urethra, causing urinary symptoms such as weak stream, frequent urination, urgency, and incomplete bladder emptying. BPH affects approximately 50% of men in their 50s and over 80% of men in their 70s.

What causes BPH?

BPH requires three conditions: the presence of a prostate gland, androgen (male hormone) activity, and the aging process. Androgens drive prostate cell growth, and cumulative aging leads to progressive enlargement. Metabolic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity are modifiable risk factors that can accelerate prostate enlargement.

Is BPH the same as prostate cancer?

No. BPH is a benign (non-cancerous) condition involving prostate gland enlargement. It does not turn into prostate cancer and is not a precancerous lesion. However, both conditions can exist simultaneously and can share similar urinary symptoms, so a proper urological evaluation including PSA testing and physical examination is important to differentiate them.

Can BPH be cured or prevented?

BPH cannot be fully prevented since aging and androgen exposure are unavoidable, but progression can be delayed. Managing metabolic syndrome, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, and staying physically active all reduce the risk of accelerated prostate growth. Medical treatment and surgery can effectively manage symptoms and prevent complications.

What complications can BPH cause if left untreated?

Untreated BPH can lead to significant complications including acute urinary retention (sudden inability to urinate), recurrent bladder infections due to incomplete bladder emptying, bladder stone formation, bladder wall thickening and dysfunction, and in severe cases, kidney damage from chronic urinary obstruction. Early consultation with a urologist helps prevent these complications.

Disclaimer: This content is written and reviewed by Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone, a board-certified urologist at Bangkok Hospital Headquarters. It is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any medical treatment.

Medically written & reviewed by: Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone (Dr. Pom) — Board-Certified Urologist, Bangkok Hospital Headquarters. International Fellow: Baylor College of Medicine (USA) · Juntendo University (Japan) · Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Taiwan).

Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone

Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone (Dr. Pom) is a board-certified urologist at Bangkok Hospital Headquarters, specializing in Men’s Health, Robotic Surgery (Da Vinci System), and Kidney Stone treatment. He has completed international fellowships at Baylor College of Medicine (USA), Juntendo University Hospital (Japan), and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Taiwan). All medical content on this site is written and reviewed by Dr. Soarawee based on his clinical experience and international training.