Patient/caregiver was instructed upon pathophysiology of BPH as follows:
- Prostate is a gland in males that surrounds the urethra and located between the urinary bladder and penis.
- Prostate gland secretes prostatic fluid, which nourishes sperm cells produced by the testicles. By nourishing the sperm cells and maintaining them viable, prostate gland helps with male fertility.
- For reasons unclear, prostate gland in some individuals can be enlarged. Hormonal disturbances in elderly males is considered to be an important factor contributing to the enlargement of prostate.
- Healthy men produce the higher amounts of male sex hormone, testosterone, and smaller amounts of female sex hormone, estrogen. This healthy proportion between the sex hormones, testosterone and estrogen, is considered very essential for normal function of prostate gland.
- As men age, the healthy ratio between testosterone and estrogen can be compromised due to progressively decreasing testosterone. Increased proportion of estrogens are thought to contribute to enhanced growth of prostate. Increased production of another male sex hormone, dihydrotestosterone, in older men is also thought to contribute to the growth of prostate.
- As prostate normally surrounds the urethra, enlargement of prostate presses onto and narrows/closes the urethra.
- This narrowing down of urethra in individuals with BPH results in difficulty to urinate and pass urine. This leads to backing up of urine and consequent symptoms of BPH.
