BPH Specialist

What is benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlargement of the prostate gland that occurs in most men as they get older. Though the prostate grows throughout your life, it can eventually cause bothersome symptoms.

What are the symptoms of BPH?

Symptoms of BPH are similar to other serious conditions, such as prostate cancer, so it’s important to visit Dr. Himsl if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Less force in your urine stream than usual
• A frequent need to urinate
• An increase in the need to urinate at night
• An inability to fully empty your bladder
• Recurrent urinary tract infection
• Blood in the urine

Is BPH dangerous?

While the initial symptoms of BPH are fairly moderate, an untreated case of BPH can lead to more serious symptoms, including:

• A complete inability to urinate
• Urinary tract infections
• Bladder stones
• Bladder damage
• Kidney damage

How is BPH treated?

Dr. Himsl provides treatment options for BPH depending on a few factors, including the size of your prostate, your age, your symptoms and your overall health. The most common treatments for BPH include:

Medication

A variety of medications can treat BPH, including alpha blockers, which help relax muscle fibers in the prostate, and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which shrink the prostate.

Minimally invasive surgery

If medications prove ineffective for your BPH or your symptoms are more severe, Dr. Himsl may recommend a minimally invasive surgical procedure using the da Vinci® Surgical System to remove portions of the prostate or cut away nearby tissue to ease the passage of urine. Examples include transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP), and transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT).

If you’re in the Greater Los Angeles area and are experiencing problematic symptoms while urinating, call Dr. Himsl to schedule your consultation or request your appointment online.